The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) invites you to the Virtual Kick-off Event “Supporting India’s Agriculture Sector against Post-Harvest Losses.”

The event launches an initiative organised by the IGCC that seeks to support farmers in India's innovative technology to prevent post-harvest losses along selected agricultural value chains.

Post-harvest losses occur between harvest times and the selling of crops in the market and retail stores. Globally, the issue has far-reaching implications from economic, social, environmental, nutritional, and health concerns.

Globally, close to one-third of the food production is lost or wasted annually. In India, on average 40% of food production is lost and wasted. In most countries, including in India, post-harvest losses have direct potential effects on national food security as it curtails the availability, accessibility, utilisation, and stability of food supply and supports the goal of doubling Indian farmers’ income.

The agriculture sector employs over 50% of the Indian workforce and contributes 20% to the country's GDP. The income and livelihood of millions of farmers, daily labourers, traders, millers, and sellers are dependent on the crops harvested. As food products’ quality and quantity decrease due to post-harvest losses, it creates a multiplier negative monetary impact on the income generation of everyone in the value chains. Around 65% of India’s population lives on less than EUR 1.50 a day. Prevention of post-harvest losses ensures enough food is available for poor households as well as elevates income levels above the poverty line.

From an environmental perspective, the agriculture sector consumes 80% of India’s water consumption and 20% of India’s national consumption. Loss of 40% of crops annually due to post-harvest losses have a significant impact on the efficiency of India’s water and power consumption, thus reducing water scarcity and greenhouse emission. At the same time, post-harvest losses put greater pressure on cultivatable lands which can cause environmental destruction. The prevention of losses at the initial stages in food supply chains can increase the availability of food and raise farmers’ income without requiring additional land, investment, and resources.

The virtual kick-off event “Supporting India’s Agriculture Sector against Post-Harvest Losses” is organised within the framework of the “Innovation platform and hybrid trade fair - Reducing post-harvest losses in India” Project assisted by the German Government, carried out by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

AGENDA