Pulse-derived protein consumption is projected to rise from 3.5 mt in 2025 to 9.3 mt by 2070
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India’s annual average per-capita protein consumption is projected to more than triple to 30kg by 2070 from about 9.5kg in 2025. This has major implications for food security, agricultural production, natural resources, and investment, according to a new joint report from Asia Research & Engagement (ARE) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).The report, ‘Charting India’s Protein Transition’, reveals that pulses present a major domestic innovation and growth opportunity. It projects that pulse-derived protein consumption will rise from 3.5 million tonnes in 2025 to 9.3 million tonnes by 2070, making pulses India’s second-largest protein category, after dairy.This growth can create greater value for farmers and spur innovation around India’s established plant proteins. India also imports almost 90 per cent of its processed plant protein isolates, creating further opportunity to expand domestic processing and higher-value manufacturing.1.92 giga tonnes CO2 emissionsFurther, it finds that annual protein-related emissions could reach 1.92 giga tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Gt CO₂e) by 2070 under a business-as-usual pathway. That’s almost eight times the estimated climate-safe threshold of 0.25 GtCO₂e. More significantly, the report estimates cumulative excess emissions could exceed 44 GtCO₂e, it said.The report highlights estimated shortfalls of 35.6 per cent in green fodder, 10.5 per cent in dry fodder and 44 per cent in concentrate feed ingredients, with climate pressures likely adding further volatility to feed availability and production costs. Smallholders account for around 72 per cent of India’s milk production, while poultry and fisheries rely heavily on contract growers, fragmented producers, and smaller businesses. Targeted finance, procurement reform, technical assistance, and producer consultation are important to supporting their participation in the transition.The findings come as India assumes an increasingly important role in global food demand. India and Southeast Asia are projected to account for 31% of global agricultural and fisheries consumption by 2033 (as per OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033).The report finds this trajectory can be changed, modelling pathways that significantly reduce emissions while meeting rising demand, protecting livelihoods, and creating new investment opportunities.Coordinated policy action neededThe report said that production improvements will be critical, but not sufficient. Measures across methane, feed, manure, deforestation, energy, and food loss and waste could cut annual protein-related emissions to 0.73 Gt CO₂e by 2070 – but that’s still 2.9-times above the climate-safe threshold. Greater protein diversification could reduce this to 0.50 Gt CO₂e, while an integrated pathway could bring emissions down to 0.30 Gt CO₂e.The report reveals that coordinated action across policy, finance, food production, and procurement can help India meet rising protein demand, while reducing emissions, strengthening domestic value chains and supporting producer livelihoods.Rituj Sahu, Director – Protein Transition/Sustainable Food Systems (India), Asia Research & Engagement, said, “India is at a critical point in the development of its future protein system, but no single sector can address this alone. Government and regulators have a role in strengthening policy support, banks and investors in directing capital towards the transition, and food and agricultural businesses in improving production, procurement and protein diversification. ARE’s partnership with FICCI draws on its industry reach and influence to take these findings into the policy, investment and business decisions shaping India’s future protein system.”Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI, emphasised, “The Charting India’s Protein Transition report highlights how India’s changing protein landscape presents a significant opportunity for industry to innovate, invest, and build resilient domestic food value chains. In line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, industry can play a key role in meeting evolving consumer needs, strengthening domestic capabilities and creating new opportunities for growth across the protein value chains.”Published on September 9, 2026
