Parliament Question: Wastage of Fruits and Vegetables due to lack of Proper Storage

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3115 ANSWERED ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2025 WASTAGE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DUE TO LACK OF PROPER STORAGE

3115. DR. ANAND KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and a large quantity of these gets wasted due to poor processing and lack of proper storage, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that full-time courses are available in the country in areas like hotel management, dietician etc. but there is a lack of dedicated courses or skill training in the field of food processing sector and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to start such dedicated courses or skill training programmes related to food processing to promote better management and value addition of fruits and vegetables; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government proposes to do so in the near future, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a): Yes, sir, it is a fact that India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Further, as per studies conducted by Indian Council for Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Post- Harvest Engineering & Technology (ICAR-CIPHET), 2015 and NABARD Consultancy Service Pvt. Ltd (NABCONS), 2022, the estimated percentage of Harvest and Post-Harvest loss of Fruits

and vegetables in India is as follows:

Crops/ Commodities Estimated Percentage Loss As per ICAR-CIPHET As per NABCONS study Study (2015) (2022) Fruits 6.70-15.88 6.02-15.05 Vegetables 4.58-12.44 4.87-11.61 With the aim to reduce post-harvest losses of agricultural produce including fruit and vegetable crops, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) supports the establishment of the food processing industries to create processing/preservation capacities through various component schemes of Central Sector umbrella scheme “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana

(PMKSY)” and Centrally Sponsored "PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises

(PMFME) Scheme. A total of 1619 projects have been sanctioned across the country since inception under PMKSY, out of which 1181 projects have been completed as on 31st October, 2025 creating processing and preservation capacity of 269.61 LMT/ annum (Lakh Metric Tonne).Further, under PMFME scheme, as on 31st October, 2025 loans have been approved to 162744 units for setting up/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country.

(b) to (d): Yes, Sir. The Government has taken several initiatives to bridge the skill gap in the food processing sector. For imparting skill training, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative

(FICSI), the Sector Skill Council for Food Processing that was established by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has more than 60 job roles approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). These job roles are approved as per qualification packs that are created by the experts based on industry requirements. All qualification packs are updated after every 36 months to reflect the current requirements of the industry. The approved job roles include emerging areas like plant based proteins, fortified foods and micro credentials covering FSSAI mandated requirements and frameworks designed to ensure safety and integrity of food products. In addition, Ministry of Food Processing Industries ensures to provide the sector related short term training through its schemes and Institutions.

In addition, Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme being implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries has a capacity building training component, under which capacity building trainings are conducted by the State/UT Governments.

It envisages short-term training of 24 Hours/3 Days, Food Processing EDP (Entrepreneurship Development Programme) Training for all applicants viz. individuals and Groups (SHGs/ FPOs/ Cooperatives) recommended for availing credit linked grant by District Level Committee (DLC) and 8 hours/1 day training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed Capital under the scheme engaged in micro food processing. 1,09,312 beneficiaries have been trained across India from 2020-21 till 2024-25.

Besides the above, two Institutes of National Importance (INI’s) viz. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) located at Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) and Kundli (Haryana) under the administrative control of this Ministry are also running graduation and post-graduation degree courses and providing degrees in Food Technology & Management. Further, the NIFTEMs through their short-term skill/capacity building/entrepreneurship development programmes, trained 32255 and 1516 persons respectively during the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25.

Further, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative [FICSI], the Sector Skill Council for Food Processing under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, have launched specialized training programmes in partnership with educational and technical institutions. FICSI has trained and certified over 2.72 lakh candidates in food-processing job roles since 2015-16, which include 2.60 lakh candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in collaboration with Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, Food Technology Institutes, Food Processing Industries and State Skill Missions.

*****