On 18 November 2021, IGCC in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),organised a Virtual Fact-Finding Master Session on the Prevention of Post-Harvest Losses in India. The Master Session brought together experts from the agriculture sector
in an interactive panel discussion to share their insights and ideas on the topic of Post-Harvest Losses in India.
The event started with opening remarks from Elke Peiler - Advisor - Cooperation with the Private Sector, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag) & Agricultural Policy and Innovation Fund, Stefan Halusa – Director General of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, and Peter Deubet – Deputy Director General of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.
During her opening remarks, Ms. Peiler provided an overview of the impact of Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) that plague the global Agriculture sector as food is transported from field to plate, with global food waste is estimated at around 1.3 billion tonnes,or 1/3 of the total food production. In India, similar concerns exist, with losses in post-harvest is estimated at 10%-25% for perishable foods like milk, fish, eggs and an even higher from 30%-40% for fruits and vegetables. This session was the first step in a series of planned activities dedicated to addressing the PHL in India that aims to benefit farmers, private and public sectors as well as to create more jobs.
Mr. Halusa stated in his opening remarks that the resilience of the Indian Agriculture sector is highlighted by the sector being one of the only industries in the world that experienced sectoral growth during the pandemic. Due to the strategic and economic importance of the sector in India, reducing post-harvest losses has become even more crucial. He added, “The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce has always been persistent in supporting India’s sustainable development goal, and it is, therefore, with great enthusiasm that the IGCC partners with GIZ in implementing a dedicated initiative on Post-Harvest Losses prevention, starting with the Master Session today.”
The session continued into a panel discussion which included distinguished panellists Dr. A. K. Yadav, Advisor (MOVCDNER) - Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of
Agriculture, Govt. of India, Dr. Tarun Bajaj,Director - The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Sameer Valdiya - Senior Advisor, GIZ Green Innovation Centre, and Prof. Priyanka Das - Assam Agricultural University. The panel discussion took a deep
dive into the current scenario of post-harvest losses in India and identified possible value chains to be taken forward.
On the impact of PHL on the farmers and the food we eat daily, Dr. Yadav gave insights into the current scenario in India. He stated, “The primary source of livelihood for about 58% of the population in India is agriculture. Indian agriculture adds 276 bn USD to the national economy, and the Indian food and grocery market is the world’s 6th largest. Farmers are unable to sell about 40% of the total fruits and vegetables post-harvesting mainly because of insufficient storage facilities. We need to upgrade the facilities for farmers for them to be able to handle processing, storage, and transport. The Ministry of Agriculture &Farmers’ Welfare is taking up various methods to be able to tackle PHL better. For example,commodities are identified and are being produced with the concept of one district one product; this will help minimise losses. The goal is to be able to reduce PHL and to create a cost-effective supply chain to the national market. However, keeping in mind the size of the Indian agriculture market and the persons associated with it, the efforts put in are still small, and we need to go a very long way.”
Despite the recent global pandemic, the agriculture sector in India has continued to grow. Dr. Bajaj gave his inputs on the importance of Post-Harvest Management and Practices in protecting the Agriculture Sector global supply chain crisis. He stated,“Post Covid, there is resilience the agriculture
industry has shown. The exports industry, including grains, rice, cereals, wheat, milk, etc., has shown a 29% growth. The world is looking to India for its food security needs,and the future is bright.Despite the resilience,the agriculture industry has shown post covid. There is no denying that the issue of
post-harvest losses in India is a large one and needs to be addressed and tackled. The saving from post-harvest losses containment and control is complementary to income and food security.”
Mr. Valdiya then addressed how PHL is important in strengthening the Indo-German relation in agriculture. He stated, “India is a strategic global partner to Germany in many different ways including industries like technology, trade, urban development, renewable energy, and natural resources.Some of the value chains currently being worked in are potato, tomato, and apples.”
He specifically addressed the potato value chain explaining how apart from developing climate and disease resilient practice, GIZ is also supporting the development of apical rooted technology, which will transform the way potatoes are cultivated and harvested.He stated that apart from this, many other technologies and initiatives are being taken to combat PHL.
Dr. Bajaj and Mr. Valdiya shared their thoughts on how Post Harvest Loss affects Indian exporters and how it contributes to other countries’ perception of produce from India by addressing how PHL is a loss of money and resources. “The money wasted due to PHL could be given to farmers if the losses are controlled. The export market is highly competitive, and superior quality food product needs to be constantly offered. The assurance of supplies over a long period of time is required. Given the tremendous scope of improvement in India, the country can grow and expand their export businesses if PHL is reduced.”
The government of India is taking many initiatives to improve farmers’ income and reduce PHL.Many initiatives are being taken to build strong farmer organisations and strong rural organisations. The Prevention of Post-Harvest Losses in India will support Indian farmers in attaining better prices for their produce while also ensuring an adequate supply of high-quality food for the population. However, India’s wide range of agricultural produce and regional variances pose unique challenges which cannot be addressed using one technology/solution.
The Virtual Fact-Finding Master Session on the Prevention of Post-Harvest Losses in India is organised within the framework of the “Innovation platform and hybrid trade fair - Reducing post-harvest losses in India” Project. The Session and the Project are implemented by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ), and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
To view the live recording of the session, click here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/6333887784602527760
The session supports the progress of the following SDGs in India:
