(a) the details of the post harvest losses in horticulture, livestock and fisheries in the country during the last three years and current year;
(b) the percentage of the total production, these losses constitute;
(c) the details of the factors responsible for these losses including fisheries; and
(d) the details of the measures taken by the Government to minimize the losses particularly in fisheries with special reference to Kerala?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)
(a) & (b): A study published in 2012 by Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), estimated that quantum of quantitative harvest and post harvest losses of agricultural produce including horticulture, livestock and fisheries were in the range of 1.1% to 18.05%. The details of harvest and post harvest losses of major agricultural crops and commodities estimated by this study are Annexed. The details of year wise and state wise losses are not available.
(c): The factors responsible for these losses are inadequate supply chain which includes the operations of harvesting, collection, sorting, grading and lack of adequate transportation, storage and market infrastructure facilities.
(d): Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of marine fisheries and post harvest operations in the country including Kerala. One of the main objectives of the scheme is reduction of post harvest losses in fisheries. Under the scheme financial assistance is provided to Government undertakings/ corporations, federations, marketing boards, cooperative societies, self help groups, non-governmental organizations and private companies.
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of horticulture which includes creation of post harvest infrastructure for perishable horticulture crops including establishment and modernization of cold storages, processing units, pack houses, pre-cooling units, controlled atmosphere storage, reefer vans and setting up of ripening chambers.
Besides, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) is also implementing schemes to provide integrated cold chain and processing facilities from farm gate to consumers.