·       Each year on September 29, the world observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW). Far from being a symbolic gesture, this day highlights an ongoing crisis that silently threatens both global food security and climate resilience.

·       An estimated one-third of all food produced globally is either lost or wasted. This not only reflects a failure to feed millions but also represents a massive squandering of essential natural resources such as water, energy, and land. For a country like India, one of the world’s leading food producers, the challenge is especially acute. Post-harvest losses inflict substantial economic, social, and environmental damage, underscoring the urgency for targeted interventions.

Magnitude of the Challenge

·       India’s agricultural landscape is plagued by considerable post-harvest losses spanning a wide range of crops and livestock products. According to a 2022 report by NABCONS, these losses remain unacceptably high across categories, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and animal products. The cumulative economic impact is staggering—estimated at nearly ₹1.5 trillion annually, which corresponds to 3.7% of the country’s agricultural GDP.

·       Perishables such as fruits and vegetables suffer spoilage rates of 10–15%, while staple grains like wheat and paddy are also significantly affected, with loss rates of 4.2% and 4.8% respectively. These statistics go beyond simple numbers—they represent lost nutrition and wasted effort. Each tonne of discarded food embodies misused water, labour, energy, and capital. When extrapolated across India’s enormous production volumes, the national implications are profound, directly affecting farmer earnings, food availability, and the broader environmental equilibrium.

Linking Food Loss to Climate Disruption:

·       Recent joint research conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), supported by the Green Climate Fund, has quantified the environmental impact of food loss in India. By analysing 30 key crop and livestock categories, the study revealed that even relatively minor losses in cereals—particularly methane-emitting paddy—generate more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions each year.

·       The environmental cost is even higher for animal products, given their intense resource requirements. Altogether, food losses in India are responsible for over 33 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually. Unlike in high-income nations, where food waste tends to occur at the consumer level, India’s losses predominantly take place earlier in the supply chain—during harvesting, handling, processing, and distribution. This points to a systemic failure driven by inadequate infrastructure, inefficient logistics, and limited use of modern technologies.

Strategies for Mitigation:

Strengthening Physical Infrastructure:

·       Although the scale of the problem is vast, the solutions are attainable. Enhancing infrastructure is fundamental to addressing food loss. Developing robust cold chains—which include pre-cooling systems, refrigerated transport, and modern storage facilities—is crucial for preserving perishable items such as dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables.

·       Efforts like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) are already playing a role in modernising food logistics across India. However, scaling these initiatives further is imperative for reducing losses at key stages of the supply chain.

Leveraging Low-Cost, Localised Technologies:

·       Beyond high-end infrastructure, practical, decentralised technologies offer promising solutions for India’s smallholder farmers. Solar-powered cold storage units, cost-effective cooling chambers, durable crates, and moisture-resistant silos are essential tools that can significantly cut down spoilage.

·       Equally important are digital tools. Internet of Things (IoT) devices, AI-driven demand forecasting systems, and mobile platforms like the FAO’s Food Loss App (FLAPP)—launched in 2023 and already in use across more than 30 countries—enable better monitoring and mitigation of food losses throughout the supply chain.

Redistribution and Circular Solutions:

·       At the consumer and retail levels, excess food can be channelled to food banks and community kitchens, ensuring that surplus food serves a nutritional purpose. Even food that cannot be consumed need not go to waste. It can be repurposed as compost, animal feed, or even converted into bioenergy.

·       Implementing these circular economy solutions, however, demands supportive policy frameworks, including subsidies, credit access, and incentives to encourage private sector participation. Policy alignment and institutional coordination are essential to make these models sustainable and scalable.

A Shared Responsibility Across Sectors:

Addressing food loss requires collective action. Governments must integrate food loss reduction into national climate strategies and invest in resilient supply chains and storage systems. Businesses need to adopt circular economy principles and drive innovation in food preservation and distribution. Civil society, academia, and non-profits play a crucial role in research, public education, and grassroots mobilisation. At the same time, individual consumers must cultivate responsible habits—such as reducing plate waste and supporting food recovery initiatives—to complement systemic change.

Conclusion:

·       The annual observance of IDAFLW serves not just as a commemorative date but as a powerful call for coordinated, sustained action. For India, mitigating food loss is not just a moral or nutritional imperative; it is also central to achieving climate goals and conserving overstretched natural resources.

·       Each plate of food saved contributes not only to human sustenance but also to ecological balance and rural livelihoods. In this context, an empty plate should never be a symbol of waste—it should represent food that has been effectively used, shared for nourishment, and preserved through responsible action. The challenge ahead is formidable, but with the right policies, technologies, and public will, it is one that India is well-positioned to overcome.