The government is looking for solutions for preventing physical waste and loss of value of perishable agricultural commodities, according to agriculture experts. India’s greatest need is for an effective cold chain solution that will integrate the supply chains for agricultural commodities from their respective production centers to consumption centers, thereby reducing physical waste and loss of value of perishable commodities. The Indian horticulture supply chain is unorganized as the lack of transportation facilities results in greater reliance on intermediaries. In the process of bringing the produce to the market, losses occur in the quantity and quality of the produce owing to improper infrastructure facilities and poor handling practices followed by the intermediaries. There is a need to find solutions for crop specific agriculture logistics and leverage the multi modal system for transportation. There is need to protect those who provide food for all. The doubling of farmers’ income is not possible without doubling the sales and doubling market rate of the agricultural produce, and cold chain is a key enabler to make this happen.

(Live Mint)