India Tackles Food Loss and Waste

Exam-Focused Notes on Food Loss and Waste in India

Overview of Food Loss and Waste

• Food loss and waste significantly impact climate change, food security, economic costs, and sustainable resource use.
• India, home to 1.4 billion people, has the capacity to feed its population but suffers substantial food loss throughout the production and distribution chain.

National Initiatives

• India is the only country to conduct three national post-harvest loss surveys assessing losses across various commodities for:
  • 2005-07: 45 commodities
  • 2012-14: 45 commodities
  • 2020-22: 54 commodities
• A fourth survey is currently planned.
• These efforts support the country's obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically reporting under the Food Loss Index.

Data and Findings

• Data mainly focus on post-harvest losses, with less developed data on food waste in retail, hotels, and households.
• Major wholesale markets can produce up to 100 tonnes of organic waste daily, contributing to an estimated 3.5 million tonnes of waste annually.
• Organic waste treatment could offset roughly 3.3 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions yearly, worth approximately $30 million in carbon credits.

Technologies and Strategies

• Emphasized the importance of digital traceability systems and improved methods for storage, drying, and cooling to enhance supply chain management.
• Use of bio-CNG plants, such as the 50-tonne-a-day plant in Surat, Gujarat, reducing methane emissions by approximately 7,500 tonnes per year exemplifies successful private-sector partnerships.

Government Schemes and Support Structures

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collaborates with India’s government, research, and financial institutions to implement practices reducing food waste.
• The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is pivotal in linking food-loss hotspots with technologies for climate resilience, including:
  • Moisture control
  • Energy-efficient cooling
  • Storage solutions

Urban Food Loss and Waste Management

• The FAO is working towards equipping Indian cities with a practical “Package of Practices” for efficient urban food loss and waste management, targeting municipalities for:
  • Measurement
  • Prevention
  • Redistribution
  • Valorization of waste from households to wholesale markets

Environmental Impact and Policy Integration

• Advocated for integrating food loss and waste management into agricultural planning, climate action, and investment decisions.
• Suggested circular economy approaches: redistributing surplus food and converting organic waste to compost or energy to create added economic value.

Future Directions

• Emphasize the need for connected national approaches with prioritized financing.
• Importance of closing data gaps and embedding food loss reduction strategies within agricultural, food-processing, urban, and climate policies.

Conclusion

• India possesses the necessary data, technology, and viable economic models to systematically reduce food loss and waste, thereby enhancing food security and promoting sustainability. Progress requires a collaborative effort across various sectors, equitable resource distribution, and innovative technological adoption.