Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) addressed concerns regarding food spoilage and the teaching of food processing in Indian educational institutions. The response references a study on post-harvest losses and details the inclusion of food processing in existing academic programs like Food Technology, Nutrition Technology, Dietetics, and Hotel Management. It also highlights the role of specialized institutions in providing comprehensive food processing education.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Food Production and Spoilage:**
* India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally.
* Significant post-harvest losses occur: approximately 30% for fruits and 20% for vegetables.
* Potatoes, a high-demand vegetable, are also prone to spoilage, increasing the importance of food processing.
* A 2022 study assessed post-harvest losses for 54 crops/commodities, considering various stages from harvesting to market level.
* **Integration of Food Processing in Education:**
* Food Technology, Nutrition Technology, Dietetics, and Hotel Management courses include components of food processing, preservation, hygiene, nutrition, and safety.
* The depth of food processing content varies across disciplines, with specialized food technology programs offering comprehensive coverage.
* Food processing is a core component in academic programs where Food Technology is part of the curriculum.
* **Specialized Institutions:**
* National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli and Thanjavur offer B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. programs in Food Processing and allied fields.
* CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, provides M.Sc. Food Technology and Ph.D. programs in Food Science and Technology.
* Other central, state, and private institutions/universities also offer courses in Food Technology.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:
Impact: The Ministry's report, "Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2023," is referenced to establish India's position as the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
Action Required: No direct action mentioned in the document.
Universities, Colleges, and Institutions Offering Related Courses:
Impact: These institutions are recognized for already including elements of food processing within their existing curricula (e.g., Food Technology, Nutrition Technology, Dietetics, Hotel Management).
Action Required: Evaluate and potentially enhance the depth and scope of food processing content within existing programs, particularly outside of specialized food technology tracks.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli and Thanjavur:
Impact: Highlighted as key institutions offering specialized food processing programs.
Action Required: Continue providing B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. programs in Food Processing and allied fields.
CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru:
Impact: Recognized for offering specialized Food Science and Technology programs.
Action Required: Continue providing M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Food Science and Technology.
Students Enrolled in Food Technology Programs:
Impact: These students receive comprehensive education in food processing as a core component of their studies.
Action Required: Continue to engage with and master the foundational and advanced knowledge in food processing provided by their programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries: The Indian government ministry responsible for food processing policies and initiatives. Also referred to as MoFPI.
Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2023: A report published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare providing agricultural statistics for India.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS): A consultancy firm that conducted a study on post-harvest losses of agricultural produce in India for the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Study to determine Post harvest losses of Agri Produce in India in 2022: A study commissioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and conducted by NABCONS to assess post-harvest losses of agricultural produce in India.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K): An autonomous institute under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries offering courses in food processing and related fields, located in Kundli, Haryana.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T): An autonomous institute under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries offering courses in food processing and related fields, located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru: A research institute in Mysuru, Karnataka, that provides courses in food science and technology.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3104
ANSWERED ON 07TH AUGUST, 2025
TEACHING OF FOOD PROCESSING IN UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES/SCHOOLS
3104. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:
Will the Minister of Food Processing Industries be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that India is one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables in the world
whereas about 30% of fruits and 20% of vegetables get spoiled in storage, packing and transportation after
harvesting and if so, the details thereof ;
(b) whether the Government is aware that important vegetables like potatoes with high demand round
the year are also prone to be spoiled that led to increase the importance of food processing and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is also aware of the fact that food technology, nutrition technology,
dietician course, hotel management etc. are taught in the universities, colleges and schools of the country
under different names whereas food processing is/has been neglected on this count;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the plan of the Government for teaching food processing along with these courses?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a) & (b). As per the latest report of Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2023 published by Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India is the second largest producer of Fruits and Vegetables in the world.
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 selected across the country. The different stages considered
for assessment of losses were harvesting, collection, grading/sorting, winnowing/cleaning, drying,
packaging, transportation, storage at farm level and at Godown, wholesalers, retailers, processing unit and
transport at market level. The details of estimated loss of fruits and vegetables selected in the study
including potato are placed at Annexure-I.
(c) to (e). The academic programmes such as Food Technology, Nutrition Technology, Dietetics, and Hotel
Management are being offered in various universities, colleges, and institutions across the country under
different nomenclatures. These courses, though varying in focus, often include components related to food
processing, preservation, hygiene, nutrition, and safety. However, the depth and scope of food processing
content differ significantly across disciplines, with comprehensive coverage typically found only in
specialized food technology programs. In academic programs where Food Technology is part of the
curriculum, food processing is already included as a core component. Students enrolled in these programs
receive foundational and advanced knowledge on food processing as an integral part of their education.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K)
and National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T)
are the two autonomous institutes under MoFPI, which offers courses on B.Tech, M.Tech & Ph.D in Food
Processing and allied fields. Further, CSIR−Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI),
Mysuru also provides courses like M.Sc. Food Technology and PhD in the areas of Food Science and
Technology. Apart from these institutions, there are other central, state and private institutions/Universities
offering courses on Food Technology.
*****ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE-I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NUMBER 3104 ANSWERED ON 07th AUGUST, 2025 REGARDING “TEACHING OF
FOOD PROCESSING IN UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES/SCHOOLS”
Loss Percent
Category Crops Total loss in farm Total loss in market
operations level
Fruits Apple 7.87 1.64
Banana 5.17 2.40
Citrus 5.53 2.18
Grapes 5.09 2.05
Guava 11.59 3.46
Mango 6.03 2.5
Papaya 3.77 2.82
Sapota 6.22 3.32
Pineapple 4.22 1.8
Pomegranate 4.09 2.73
Muskmelon 4.12 2.71
Vegetables Cabbage 5.83 2.32
Cauliflower 5.76 2.13
Green pea 4.67 1.76
Mushroom 6.21 0.99
Onion 5.31 1.96
Potato 5.1 0.86
Tomato 8.37 3.25
Tapioca 3.39 1.48
Bottle Gourd 4.69 2.32
Brinjal 4.75 2.66
Beans 3.68 3.43
Radish 3.96 2.5
Capsicum 2.60 2.55
Okra 3.76 2.25
***