Post harvest loss in India

• Context (TH): Post-harvest loss can be defined as degradation in both quantity and quality of food from harvest to consumption.

Quantum of post-harvest loss in India

• India ranks second in global agriculture production, but its share in global agricultural exports is only 2.4%, placing it eighth globally.
• Approx 74 million tonnes of food is lost in India each year, accounting for 22% of the foodgrain output or 10% of the total foodgrain and horticulture production for the 2022-23 period (ICAR).
• The biggest loss is from perishable commodities, which include livestock produce such as eggs, fish and meat (22%), fruits (19%) and vegetables (18%).
• There are no national-level surveys on food waste in India.

Determinants of post-harvest loss

Credits: FAO

• Lack of proper storage facilities, cooling systems, and transportation network and infrastructure
• Inappropriate or insufficient packaging leading to physical damage and exposure to pests
• Limited access to markets resulting in delayed sales and the inability to sell produce at optimal ripeness
• Inadequate knowledge and management capacity of supply chain actors
• Poor Handling Practices
• Inadequate pest control during storage, resulting in infestations & losses due to insects & pathogens.

Initiatives taken to address post-harvest loss

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-RAFTAAR)
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
• Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (AGMARKNET)
• National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
• Project CHAMAN
• Truck-on-train service: It carries loaded trucks on railway wagons. Efforts are being made to expand this service following successful trial runs involving commodities such as milk and cattle feed.
• Parcel special trains: It was started by the Railways during the COVID-19 pandemic to transport perishables and seeds between market and producers.
• Kisan Rail: It was initiated to connect perishables (inclusive of milk, meat and fish) production surplus regions to consumption regions more efficiently.

Way forward

• Shifting focus from increasing food production to safeguarding the produced food.
• Warehousing receipts from certified warehouses can serve as collateral for funding from banks, aiding farmers in meeting post-harvest expenses.
• Promoting food processing industry to minimize wastage and post-harvest losses.
• Strengthening e-NAM and upgrading rural haats to Gramin Agricultural Markets to enhance market connectivity.
• Investment in specialised wagons for temperature-controlled transport and establishment of rail-side facilities for safe cargo handling. It would enhance food safety, minimize spoilage and contamination risks, thereby supporting both domestic and export markets.
• Adopting a systems-based approach, cutting across modes of transport and geographies.
• Encouraging private sector participation to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the rail infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
• Prioritising the Railways over roadways promises efficient transportation as Railways generate up to 80% less CO2 for freight traffic than roadways (97% of fruits and vegetables are transported by road).