(a) the percentage of foodgrains, pulses and vegetables etc. that perishes
in transit before reaching the consumers;
(b) the percentage loss of foodgrains, pulses and vegetables due to weeds,
improper use of pesticides, and shortage of cold storages, separately; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to minimise such losses?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)
(a) & (b): No specific scientific study has been made to assess the percentage of
foodgrains, pulses and vegetables etc. that perishes in transit before reaching the
consumers and also the percentage loss of the foodgrains, pulses and vegetables due to
weeds, improper use of pesticides and shortage of cold storages etc. However, as per the
study on “Estimation of Quantitative Harvest and Post Harvest Losses of Major
Agricultural Produce in India†carried out by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
from 2005 to 2007, the post harvest losses due to transportation and that due to
godown/warehouse/cold storage range from 0.1 - 0.2 and 0.2 – 0.6 percentage
respectively for selected cereals, 0.1 – 0.2 percentage for pulses and 0.4 – 3.1 and
0.3 – 2.2 percentage respectively in selected vegetables.
(c): The Government facilitates integrated pest management under the scheme of
strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach. The Government also
provides assistance for plant protection interventions and setting up of cold storages
through schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Macro Management of
Agriculture, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission,
Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States and National Horticulture
Board etc.