Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) commissioned a study in 2022 namely, “Study to determine Post harvest losses of Agri Produces in India” with reference year 2020-22 through NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS). The study was conducted for assessment of post-harvest losses for 54 commodities across 15 Agro-Climatic Zones for various categories, spread across 292 districts of India. The study identified the gaps in infrastructure development, technology infusion and skill requirements in the sector. The study highlighted post-harvest losses of major crops and commodities as detailed below:

 

 

The reported losses in vegetables, cereals, plantation crops, and fruits were primarily due to inefficient harvesting, handling, storage, and transportation.

Government is proactively addressing the challenge of post-harvest losses through a comprehensive and integrated approach embedded within multiple flagship schemes aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain. Key initiatives include:

 

1. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): Supports creation of infrastructure for post-harvest management including cold storages, ripening chambers, and pack houses to minimize wastages in fruits and vegetables.
2. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Provides medium to long-term debt financing for investment in viable post-harvest management infrastructure including warehousing, cold chains, and primary processing units.
3. Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) Scheme: Supports creation of storage and marketing infrastructure to strengthen supply chains and reduce post-harvest losses at the market level.
4. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): Promotes better market access and price discovery, reducing transit losses through a more efficient supply chain.
5. In addition, Government actively promotes the formation & promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to facilitate aggregation, primary processing, and market linkages.
6. In addition to above, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since 2016-17 to create post-harvest infrastructure and processing facilities to boost overall development of the food processing sector including reduction in post-harvest losses, enhancing value addition etc.

 

This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, shri Shri  Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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RC/ KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2148529)