South Asia is a major producer as well as consumer of food and it is our moral responsibility as well as economic necessity to reduce food loss and waste – Sushri Karandlaje
30th October 2023, New Delhi
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Sushri Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated the International Workshop on Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region here today. In her address, Sushri Karandlaje appreciated the efforts made by ICAR and Thünen Institute, Germany to address an important social and economic issue concerning both the farmers and the consumers. She stated that approximately 3 billion tonnes of food go to waste across the globe. The Minister opined that the proven technologies and practices of developed as well as developing countries should be brought forward so that the losses and wastage across the globe could be reduced using methods acceptable to society. She also emphasised that social organizations need to play a vital role in spreading awareness and pointed out that the loss of food is not only the consumer’s direct loss but also has bearings on the environment and supporting economies.
Sushri Karandlaje called to identify the primary reasons for food loss and waste; education and awareness among all the stakeholders; efficient harvest and storage; smart distribution; industry involvement; donation and food banks; innovation in food packaging; consumer responsibility, etc. She emphasized that wasting food is a crime and exhorted all to teach our children the importance of not wasting food.
The three-day International Workshop on Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region is being jointly organised by The Indian Council of Agriculture Research and the Thünen Institute, Germany from 30th October- 1st November 2023 in New Delhi.
Dr. SK Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM), and Dr. SN Jha, Deputy Director General (Ag. Engg.) also spoke on the occasion. They said Post-harvest losses and Food Waste vary among geographies in the world. It largely depends on the crops and commodities, duration of storage, climate, technological interventions, human behavior, traditions, etc.
Dr. Stefan Lange, Research Director, Thünen Institute, Germany mentioned that mitigating and preventing food loss and food waste is the biggest and most effective lever to ensure that food reaches the needy. He further said "Collaboration Initiative on Food Losses & Food Wastes" has been functioning to promote the global exchange of research results and practical experience in fighting food losses and waste. The government of India can play a vital role in influencing all neighboring countries to initiate individual as well as collaborative efforts to curb food loss and waste, he added.
Ms. Clementine O’Connor, United Nations Environment Programme, France appraised food losses and waste metrics and their effect on the sustainability of agriculture and the environment. She pointed out that pandemics, climate change, and wars also have serious bearing on food loss and waste. She emphasised for policy development to ensure learning and sharing of the best practices across the globe and to create awareness among consumers.
Dr. K Narsaiah, Assistant Director General (PE), ICAR made an introductory presentation on the historical perspective of food losses and gave examples of indigenous methods for preventing food loss and waste practiced by various societies across the globe. All the delegates took a pledge during this session to prevent food loss and waste in families, offices, industries, society and communities.
During the G20-MACS held in Varanasi, April 2023, a bilateral meeting was held between India and Germany in which both countries decided to organize a regional workshop to address the challenges of Food Loss and Waste understanding that despite the abundant agricultural production, a substantial amount of food is lost or wasted throughout the food supply chain, from production to consumption, and impacts food security and availability, environment, economy and the society; this hold higher significance for South Asian Region, which is a major food producer as well as consumer of food.
Around 120 delegates from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, France, Germany, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were present on the occasion.
(Source: Agriculture Extension Division, ICAR)
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