Food schemes help cut harvest waste in 5 years

New Delhi

The Indian government said on Friday that various food processing schemes have reduced post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables over the last five years. This effort supports farmers and helps meet growing demand for processed food.

Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan, at the SUFALAM event in Haryana, stressed the sector’s importance in India’s aim to become a developed nation by 2047. He said that although the country has great potential, India’s food exports are still underdeveloped.

“India could become a global food basket,” Paswan said, pointing out that schemes encouraging startups are in place, but more must be done. The government continues building support systems like cold chains and food processing infrastructure to prevent wastage.

Food Processing Secretary Subrata Gupta added that due to these efforts, post-harvest food losses have declined over the past five years. He confirmed that the ministry is pushing ahead with many projects to build facilities that keep food fresh and ready for market.

Paswan also spoke about the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to rise by 2 billion from the current 8 billion. He noted that 77 per cent of farm land produces food that supplies only 18 per cent of calories and 37 per cent of proteins people eat.

To meet future food needs, he highlighted the importance of alternative protein sources. Gupta mentioned that India’s National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) is researching cultured meat and plant-based proteins as new food options.

The government believes developing food processing is key to increasing farmers’ incomes, boosting exports, and making India a leader in the global food supply chain.