Government Aims to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Horticulture to Below 5% by 2047

The government aims to cut post-harvest losses in horticulture to under 5% by 2047, down from the current 15%, according to a senior agriculture ministry official. Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary for Horticulture, highlighted this goal at the REFCOLD India 2025 event in the capital. Currently, India, the world's second-largest horticulture producer, loses about 15 million tonnes of produce annually from a total output of 365 million tonnes.

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Post-harvest losses of up to 15% result in nearly 15 million tonnes of wasted produce. This loss affects not only farmers and consumers but also impacts nutritional security and the economy. Ranjan noted that reducing these losses would directly contribute to higher farmer incomes and a stronger food system. The government is revising engineering guidelines after consulting over 100 stakeholders and digitising cold chain infrastructure for nationwide access.

Cold Chain Infrastructure and Economic Impact

Sudhanshu, Secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Promotion Authority (APEDA), emphasised the importance of strengthening India's cold chain infrastructure. He stated that it is crucial for reducing post-harvest losses that drain farmer incomes and undermine food security. "India's cold chain is not a choice; it is a necessity for securing farmer incomes and expanding our global footprint," he said.

APEDA has been aiding in establishing packhouses, cold storages, and facilities at airports and seaports to bridge the gap from farm to foreign markets. Vivek Kumar Singh, Director in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, discussed three flagship schemes aimed at building a resilient food processing ecosystem. These include the Production Linked Incentive scheme to create global champions and support for micro food processing enterprises.

Opportunities in Cold Chain Sector

Industry executives noted that India's cold chain sector faces significant opportunities as the global refrigerated transport market is projected to reach USD 216 billion by 2030. Currently, India has 32-35 million tonnes of cold storage capacity but lacks adequate packhouses, ripening chambers, and refrigerated vehicles. The global commercial refrigeration equipment market is expected to reach USD 161 billion by 2034.

This growth is driven by demand from food, pharmaceuticals, and retail sectors, according to Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India. Informa Markets organises exhibitions featuring globally renowned brands like Copeland, Daikin, Danfoss, Carrier Transicold, Rinac, and Luve. These events attract professionals from various sectors including pharmaceuticals, seafood, dairy, meat, agriculture, hospitality, logistics, food processing, healthcare, retail, and bakery.

The government's efforts to reduce post-harvest losses aim to enhance farmer incomes and strengthen India's food system. By improving cold chain infrastructure and implementing supportive schemes, India seeks to secure its agrarian economy while expanding its global presence.

With inputs from PTI