Food wastage is a global problem but unaffordable high in India

Context

According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, one third for the food produced for consumption is lost or wasted. The Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology estimated heavy harvest and post-harvest losses in India. Almost 16% of fruits and vegetables and 6% of cereals are lost in 2012-13.

Discussion

The wastage is directly reflected as India ranks 97th out of 118 countries in Global Hunger Index. Reducing the food wastages by arresting harvest and post-harvest losses will increase food available for consumption and sale. It will also contribute in addressing India’s rising malnutrition problem and ensure food security.

The wasted food impacts environment as for food production water is used, land is degraded and increasing greenhouse gasses. India lacks proper and sufficient infrastructure of food storage including cold storages, transportation including refrigerated vans, smooth movement between different states and investment in food processing industries near the areas of production. All this will reduce the food loss during transport.

The wastage occurring at consumption level also has to be reduced by not stocking much food, reducing leftovers and cooking properly. Increasing packaging quality and life of the packed foods. Preferring composting over landfills should be stressed upon. As greenhouse, gasses are generated in landfills while in composting, the food is broken by the microorganisms and nutrients are returned back to the soil.