Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) commissioned a study in 2022 to assess post-harvest losses of agri-produce in India, including Punjab, with reference to the year 2020-22. MoFPI coordinates with other Ministries, Departments, State Governments, and autonomous bodies to develop the food processing sector. The ministry also incentivizes innovation through institutions like NIFTEM and schemes like PMKSY and PLISFPI to reduce food waste.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Post-Harvest Loss Assessment:**
* A study was conducted by NABCONS in 2022 to determine post-harvest losses of 54 crops/commodities in India with 2020-22 as reference years, including Punjab.
* Estimated losses for various agri-produce in Punjab were identified at farm and market levels, including Capsicum, Citrus, Green Pea, Maize, Milk, Mushroom, Muskmelon, Paddy, Potato, Sugarcane and Wheat.
* **Cross-Sectoral Coordination:**
* MoFPI coordinates with Ministries like Commerce & Industry and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
* Collaboration with APEDA to promote exports, identify clusters for processing, and value addition.
* NABARD implements schemes like the Special Food Processing Fund and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
* Coordination with FSSAI on quality and standards and with State Governments on the PMFME scheme.
* **Incentivizing Innovation:**
* MoFPI incentivizes innovation via NIFTEM-Kundli and NIFTEM-Thanjavur.
* NIFTEMs developed SURAKSHIT technology that transforms agrifood processing waste into biodegradable packaging.
* The ministry incentivizes infrastructure development through schemes like PMKSY, PLISFPI, and PMFME.
Impact Analysis:
* **Food Processing Industries:**
* Impact: Benefit from government schemes, infrastructural support, and focus on reducing post-harvest losses, leading to potential business growth and sustainability.
* Action Required: Participate in government schemes like PMKSY and PLISFPI, adopt innovative technologies, and align with quality standards set by FSSAI.
* **Farmers and Agricultural Producers:**
* Impact: Reduction in post-harvest losses can lead to increased income and market access.
* Action Required: Adopt best practices for harvesting and storage, and engage with government initiatives promoting value addition and processing.
* **State Governments:**
* Impact: Required to implement and coordinate the PMFME scheme, supporting micro food processing enterprises and enhancing competitiveness.
* Action Required: Regular consultation and coordination to ensure effective implementation of PMFME and alignment with national food processing policies.
* **Consumers:**
* Impact: Access to better quality and safer processed food products.
* Action Required: None.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of the food processing sector in India. Commissioned study through NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. NABCONS, namely, Study to determine Post harvest losses of Agri Produce in India in 2022 with reference year 202022.
Punjab: A state in India where an assessment study was conducted to quantify food loss occurring at various stages of the agri value chain.
NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS): An organization that conducted a study commissioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) to determine post-harvest losses of Agri Produce in India.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A government ministry that MoFPI coordinates with for identifying clusters for promoting processing and value addition.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): An organization implementing schemes like NABARD Special Food Processing Fund and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for supporting the FPI sector.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): An autonomous body that MoFPI coordinates with on various issues related to quality and standards for the processed food products.
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MoFPI to enhance competitiveness of individual microenterprises in the unorganized segment, to promote formalization and to support individual enterprises FPOs SHGs along the entire value chain.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, Haryana (NIFTEMK): An autonomous institution under MoFPI that focuses on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration to strengthen the food processing sector and has developed SURAKSHIT technology.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2003
ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
INITIATIVES FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE
2003. : SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment study to quantify food loss
occurring at the farm-gate, during transportation, and in the processing stage across major agri-
value chains in Punjab;
(b) if so, the key findings, particularly concerning perishable commodities like fruits,
vegetables and dairy;
(c) whether the Government is coordinating with other Ministries (such as Agriculture,
Consumer Affairs, etc.) and State Government to develop a cross-sectoral action plan to
minimize food loss;
(d) if so, the details of such coordinating mechanisms;
(e) whether the Government plans to incentivize innovations such as decentralized
processing, improved logistics or packaging solutions that directly address food waste
reduction and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a) & (b) The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) had commissioned a study
through NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS), namely, “Study to determine
Post harvest losses of Agri Produce in India” in 2022 with reference year 2020-22. The scope
of the study was to assess post-harvest losses with respect to 54 crops/commodities across the
country including the state of Punjab. The details of estimated loss of various agri-produce
selected in Punjab during various stages of processing are as below:
Sr. Crop Name Estimated Loss (%)
No. Farm Operations Market Level
1. Capsicum 1.49 2.82
2. Citrus 3.62 1.78
3. Green Pea 4.77 1.89
4. Maize 4.04 2.87
5. Milk 0.51 0.12
6. Mushroom 5.45 1.25
7. Muskmelon 3.23 2.25
8. Paddy 2.7 0.45
9. Potato 4.91 0.66
10. Sugarcane 3.15 1.23
11. Wheat 2.84 1.71
(c) & (d) MoFPI co-ordinates with other Ministries and organizations to unlock the full
potential and holistic development of India’s food processing sector. MoFPI co-ordinates withfollowing Ministries, Departments, State Governments and autonomous bodies of Government
of India:
MoFPI co-ordinates with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to boost exports
and promote FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the FPI sector. Further, the
Ministry in co-ordination with Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority (APEDA) takes initiatives like organising buyers-
sellers meet, industry consultations, etc. for promotion of exports of processed
food products.
MoFPI co-ordinates with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for
identifying clusters for promoting processing and value addition. Additionally,
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is also
implementing schemes NABARD Special Food Processing Fund, Agriculture
Infrastructure Fund (AIF) - NABARD etc. for supporting FPI sector.
MoFPI co-ordinates with FFSAI on various issues related to quality and
standards for the processed food products.
State Governments implements PM Formalisation of Micro food processing
Enterprises (PMFME), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MoFPI to enhance
competitiveness of individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment, to
promote formalization and to support individual enterprises / FPOs/ SHGs along
the entire value chain. As a part of implementation of the said scheme there is
regular consultation and coordination with the State Governments.
(e) & (f) MoFPI is actively incentivizing innovation in the food processing sector,
particularly through its two autonomous institutions namely, National Institute of Food
Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, Haryana (NIFTEM-K) and National
Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. This
collaboration focuses on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration to
strengthen the sector.
NIFTEMs, have developed a technology, called SURAKSHIT, that transforms agri-food
processing waste into fully biodegradable, bio-based packaging material, offering a sustainable
alternative to conventional plastics. This technology showcases a waste-to-resource approach,
converting agro-waste into a useful product while promoting a circular economy.
In order to promote and ensure overall development of Food Processing Industries, Ministry
of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting up/expansion of related
infrastructure through its Central Sector schemes. MoFPI is implementing Pradhan Mantri
Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food
Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally Sponsored PMFME Scheme across the country
for promoting food processing, improved logistics, etc that also addresses the issue of post-
harvest losses.
*****