With proper Food supply chain and good storage capacity, India can generate $2.4 billion by exporting 6.6 MTs of vegetables, rather than seeing opportunity in converting Waste to Energy.
Vegetable waste is a significant issue in India, with nearly 30-40% of produce lost due to inefficiencies in the supply chain, lack of storage facilities, and poor market linkages. This not only impacts food security but also results in economic losses for farmers and the government.However, by adopting innovative strategies, vegetable waste can be minimised, and farmers' incomes can be increased, benefiting both the agricultural sector and the economy. Vegetable waste occurs due to various reasons, including post-harvest losses, market inefficiencies, Lack of awareness, supply-demand mismatches, and poor infrastructure. Poor handling, inadequate cold storage, and inefficient transport lead to spoilage, causing post- harvest losses. Farmers often struggle to sell their produce due to low demand in local markets,leading to market inefficiencies. Additionally, many farmers and retailers lack knowledge about proper storage and preservation methods, contributing to unnecessary wastage. Overproduction results in surplus vegetables that go unsold, creating a supply-demand mismatch. Furthermore, inadequate roads, lack of refrigerated trucks, and storage facilities exacerbate the problem, making it difficult to transport and preserve vegetables efficiently. To tackle these issues, several strategies can be implemented. Improving storage and transportation infrastructure is crucial, which includes establishing cold storage units in rural areas to extend vegetable shelf life, investing in refrigerated transport to reduce spoilage during transit, and developing better roads and logistics networks to ensure faster delivery. Strengthening the supply chain and market access is another essential step. This can be achieved by promoting direct farmer-to-consumer sales through online platforms and farmer markets, encouraging the use of e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) to enable farmers to sell directly across India, and setting up processing units near farms to convert surplus vegetables into packaged products like purees, pickles, and dried vegetables. Educating farmers on better practices is equally important. Training programs on post-harvest management techniques such as sorting, grading, and packaging can help reduce waste. Promoting the use of modern irrigation and climate-resilient farming techniques can prevent crop losses. Awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate both farmers andconsumers on minimizing waste at different stages of the supply chain.
Benefits of Exporting Vegetables across India:
According to recent data, India exports approximately 3.3 million metric tonnes of fresh
vegetables to various countries globally each year. Exporting vegetables across India provides multiple advantages. It prevents localized oversupply and waste, as some regions experience overproduction, leading to spoilage due to lack of demand. By exporting surplus produce to states with higher demand, vegetable wastage is minimized. Additionally, farmers receive better prices for their produce. In remote areas, farmers often sell vegetables at throwaway prices due to oversupply, but exporting to high-demand regions ensures fair pricing and reduces distress selling. This strategy also improves national food security, as some states, such as hill states and arid regions, rely heavily on vegetable imports. Transporting fresh produce helps stabilise supply across the country. Furthermore, exporting vegetables supports employment and economic growth by creating jobs in logistics, cold storage, and transportation sectors. It also encourages private investment in agriculture and supply chain improvements.
According to reports, India wastes approximately 40% of its fruit and vegetable production
annually; this translates to around 5.6 million tons of vegetable waste every year, representing a significant portion of the country’s total food waste. Exporting surplus vegetables to the global market can be an effective strategy to reduce vegetable waste in India while boosting farmer incomes and government revenue. By tapping into international demand, India can prevent excess produce from going to waste, especially during peak harvesting seasons when local markets are oversupplied. Global exports provide farmers with a wider customer base, ensuring better price stability and reducing distress selling. Additionally, expanding vegetable exports strengthens India's agricultural trade, increases foreign exchange earnings, and encourages investment in modern farming, cold storage, and logistics infrastructure. However, to succeed in global exports, India must focus on meeting international quality standards, improving packaging, and streamlining supply chain logistics to ensure freshness and compliance with global trade regulations. By leveraging global markets efficiently, India can significantly minimize vegetable waste while creating a more profitable and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
India is one of the largest producers of vegetables globally, ranking second after China.
However, only a small fraction of this produce is currently exported. According to the
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India's
vegetable exports were valued at $1.2 billion in 2022-23, with onions, potatoes, and tomatoes being the top contributors. This figure represents a significant opportunity for growth, as global demand for fresh and processed vegetables continues to rise. If India's vegetable exports to 6.6= million metric tonnes per annum is technically possible, but it would require significant
investments in agricultural practices, infrastructure, logistics, and international market access.
Additionally, it would need careful management to avoid negatively impacting domestic supply and to ensure that the growth is sustainable in the long run.
In the light of the above, reducing vegetable waste in India requires a multi-faceted approach, including better storage, efficient transportation, market expansion, and global exports. By strengthening infrastructure, improving supply chain management, and leveraging digital platforms, farmers can access wider markets and receive fair prices for their produce. Exporting surplus vegetables to both domestic and international markets not only minimizes waste but also enhances food security, boosts farmer incomes, and contributes to economic growth. With strategic planning, investment in modern technologies, and strong government support, India can transform its agricultural sector into a more profitable and sustainable industry while significantly reducing vegetable waste.