Food is one the most important basic amenity for the survival of human beings. On one hand, there is around 37% of Indian population lives below the poverty line who die or suffer from malnutrition and on the other hand Tones of food got wasted by households, retailers, and food services.
It is estimated that around 40-50% of food gets wasted from the plough to the plate. In other words food gets wasted from the initial stage of agriculture, pre-harvest, postharvest, processing, distribution and then to the final stage of consumption.
If there is a curb on the wastage of food then it is possible that no Indian sleep without having a full meal three times a day.
Now question is how to curb on the wastage of the food:-
First we have to know what are the main causes of food wastage:-
40% of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat get wasted when they move from growers to consumer. This is mainly due to lack of refrigerated transport, poor roads, harsh weather conditions, and corruption at each level.
40-50% grains wasted because lack of proper transportation and storage facilities. According to media reports this year’s production leaves the government with 75 million ton of grain on its hands with amenities to store only 63 million ton in the state-run warehouses. This lead to millions of tons of crops left out in the open, exposed to rain and rodents, or stored in makeshift spaces with only waterproof sheets to cover them.
Hording of grains by middle men who are in between the producer and the consumer.
It is our tendency to buy more food than required and then throw the extra food which got stale afterwards.
20-25% of food gets wasted in (personal/ corporate/business) parties.
Around 24 to 35% of school lunches end up in the bin.
In case of canned food it has been observed that around 25% cans are thrown away without being opened because it exceeds the expiry date.
India is land of festivals and thus many Indians prepare various dishes and expect guests in their homes. Around 10 -15% food get wasted during this time also. It is also seen that during festivals many times free food is distributed to the people, which again is the great cause of food wastage.
Huge amount of food in hotels and restaurants got wasted.
If food is wasted, there is wastage of water, manpower and electricity in agriculture, food processing industries... Read More
It is estimated that around 40-50% of food gets wasted from the plough to the plate. In other words food gets wasted from the initial stage of agriculture, pre-harvest, postharvest, processing, distribution and then to the final stage of consumption.
If there is a curb on the wastage of food then it is possible that no Indian sleep without having a full meal three times a day.
Now question is how to curb on the wastage of the food:-
First we have to know what are the main causes of food wastage:-
40% of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat get wasted when they move from growers to consumer. This is mainly due to lack of refrigerated transport, poor roads, harsh weather conditions, and corruption at each level.
40-50% grains wasted because lack of proper transportation and storage facilities. According to media reports this year’s production leaves the government with 75 million ton of grain on its hands with amenities to store only 63 million ton in the state-run warehouses. This lead to millions of tons of crops left out in the open, exposed to rain and rodents, or stored in makeshift spaces with only waterproof sheets to cover them.
Hording of grains by middle men who are in between the producer and the consumer.
It is our tendency to buy more food than required and then throw the extra food which got stale afterwards.
20-25% of food gets wasted in (personal/ corporate/business) parties.
Around 24 to 35% of school lunches end up in the bin.
In case of canned food it has been observed that around 25% cans are thrown away without being opened because it exceeds the expiry date.
India is land of festivals and thus many Indians prepare various dishes and expect guests in their homes. Around 10 -15% food get wasted during this time also. It is also seen that during festivals many times free food is distributed to the people, which again is the great cause of food wastage.
Huge amount of food in hotels and restaurants got wasted.
If food is wasted, there is wastage of water, manpower and electricity in agriculture, food processing industries... Read More
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