Food items worth Rs 58,000 crore go waste annually

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) The wastage of agricultural food items is estimated to be about Rs 58,000 crores annually, the government today informed the Rajya Sabha.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahai, in a written reply in the Upper House, said the report of Rabo India Finance Pvt. Ltd stated that the wastage occurred at various stages of handling after harvesting due to fragmented farming and provisions in Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development&Regulation) Act.

Lack of adequate post-harvest infrastructure such as cold chain facilities, transportation and proper storage facilities were among other reasons responsible for the wastage.

The loss could be reduced by a developed food processing industry, strengthening of the post-harvest infrastructure and filling the gaps in the supply, he added.

UNI