Context: India’s post-harvest losses amount to approximately ₹ 1,52,790 crore annually, according to a Ministry of Food Processing Industries 2022 study.
What are post-harvest losses?
- The post-harvest system should be thought of as encompassing the delivery of a crop from the time and place of harvest to the time and place of consumption.
- The expression "post-harvest losses" means a measurable quantitative and qualitative loss in a given product. These losses can occur during any of the various phases of the post-harvest system.
- From the harvest onward, then, the grain undergoes a series of operations during the course of which quantitative and qualitative losses can occur.
What is the present status of India’s high post-harvest losses?
- India’s post-harvest losses amount to approximately ₹1,52,790 crore annually, according to a Ministry of Food Processing Industries 2022 study.
- The biggest loss is from perishable commodities, which include livestock produce such as eggs, fish and meat.
- During the export of perishables, approximately 19% of food is lost.
What are the causes behind India’s huge post-harvest losses?
Direct Causes
- Premature harvest result in lower quality and quantity.
- Poor threshing: Inefficient separation of grain from stalks results in loss of produce.
- Insufficient drying lead to spoilage and mold growth.
- Insufficient cleaning-> contamination and quality degradation.
- Bird, Rodent, and Insect Attacks
- Improper storage conditions
- Poor handling and transportation can lead to physical damage and loss.
Indirect Causes
- Inadequate capital: Farmers often lack the financial resources to invest in modern equipment, storage facilities and modern machinery for harvesting, threshing, drying, and cleaning.
- Lack of professionalism: Limited access to training and education on best post-harvest practices.
- Lack of Organization: Fragmented supply chains and lack of coordination among stakeholders.
- Social Constraints: Issues such as land fragmentation and small farm sizes affect efficiency.
- Economic Constraints: Market inefficiencies and price volatility impact farmers' ability to invest in post-harvest technologies.
- Political Constraints: Inadequate policy support and lack of investment in agricultural infrastructure.
Why we should reduce post-harvest losses?
- To maintain the quality of the product.
- To increase the agro-export potential.
- To double the farm income.
- To ensure food security in the country.
- To reduce price volatility.
- To reduce the waste and make agriculture environment friendly.
A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) using the life cycle perspective, estimated about 3.3 G tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions due to food that was produced but not eaten, without even considering the land use change
What steps should be taken to reduce Post harvest losses?
- Investing In adequate storage facilities
- India’s tropical climate can be bad news for the quality of perishable crops, and there need to be proper climate-controlled storage facilities as well as cold-storage facilities.
- Ensuring appropriate harvesting methods at the right stage
- when the produce has completed its natural growth and is all set for harvesting. It is also important to use the most suitable harvesting methods to prevent losses from premature or delayed harvesting.
- Effective handling and transportation to reduce damage
- as the majority of the losses take place during the transportation stage. Rough handling can also cause damage to the crops. They should be properly packed for better protection, ventilation, and labeling. This along with choosing the right vehicle and other tools can go a long way in preserving the produce during transportation.
- Following the process of sorting & grading for better quality control
- There need to be higher standards for post-harvest handling and grading. This helps in identifying damaged or low-quality produce, following which the produce can be sorted, which is essentially the removal of bad crops from healthy ones. The continuous check on quality control invariably helps in reducing post-harvest loss.
- Upgradation of grain drying equipment
- This assistance encompasses a range of options, including the provision of basic materials like tarpaulins and covers, as well as more advanced grain drying equipment and shelters that offer protection against rainfall. By enabling farmers to access improved drying solutions, we can effectively reduce food losses and improve overall grain quality.