A study by NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS), commissioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), has reported post-harvest losses across 54 agricultural commodities in India. Conducted for the period 2020–22, the assessment examined each stage of the post-harvest chain, including harvesting, grading, packaging, transportation, storage, and retail.
The study found that fruits and vegetables experience some of the highest percentage losses, with guava and tomato identified as crops with the greatest wastage.
Guava recorded the highest post-harvest loss among fruits at 15.05%, comprising 11.59% during farm operations and 3.46% at the market level. According to the study, the high perishability of guava, combined with limited cold storage capacity and rapid ripening, makes it vulnerable to damage during handling and transportation.
Tomato losses were measured at 11.62%, with 8.37% occurring at the farm stage and 3.25% during market handling. The crop's soft texture and short shelf life increase susceptibility to spoilage, while price fluctuations in the tomato market can lead to delays in harvesting or oversupply in wholesale markets, adding to losses.
Across categories, NABCONS estimated annual post-harvest losses at 12.49 million metric tons (MT) for cereals, 7.36 million MT for fruits, 11.97 million MT for vegetables, and 30.59 million MT for plantation crops, including sugarcane and spices. These losses impact farmer incomes and place pressure on India's food security and nutrition objectives.
To address the problem, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing the Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). The programme supports the establishment of multiproduct food irradiation units and cold chain facilities to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage.
Sixteen irradiation unit projects have been approved nationally, some integrated within Mega Food Parks. One such plant is located at the Avanti Mega Food Park in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
The study notes that infrastructure projects alone are not sufficient, with farmer-level training, low-cost storage adoption, and improved market linkages also necessary to reduce losses. Targeted measures for crops such as guava and tomato could improve farm returns and ease pressure on the domestic food supply chain.
Source: Global Agriculture