Indiaʼs Post-Harvest Paradox: Exploring Infrastructure Deficits and Opportunities for Food Security

Abstract

This research delved into India's substantial post-harvest losses, highlighting the consequential effects on the country's food and nutritional security. Despite its position as a leading global agricultural producer, India faces pronounced food wastage, largely attributed to suboptimal post-harvest management and infrastructure. The study's objectives were to quantify these losses, ascertain their repercussions on food security, and evaluate the prevailing state of post-harvest facilities. Leveraging secondary data from governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare and the National Centre for Cold Chain Development, the research juxtaposed horticultural data against WHO benchmarks, scrutinized wastage rates of key agricultural products, and gauged the efficacy of the existing cold chain mechanisms. The results revealed a significant increase in agricultural yield, yet a substantial fraction remains unutilized, with perishables like fruits and vegetables bearing the brunt of the wastage. The primary culprits identified were the insufficiency of cold chain amenities and ineffective post-harvest practices. With India's population trajectory on an upward curve, addressing these post-harvest challenges is imperative for fortifying food security. The research accentuates the pressing need for technological advancements, bolstered investments in post-harvest infrastructure, and strategic policy overhauls to curtail these losses and enhance India's food security framework.