Cold Chain Can Play Pivotal Role In Enhancing Farmers’ Income
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India is a nation which witnesses almost Rs 92,000 crore as estimated food wastage annually which may go up to one lakh crore said union minister for food processing during a conversation with BW Businessworld. The production of produce is complete only when it reaches the hands of those who need it, the consumers to be more precise says Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
Marketing is an important link in the chain of production activities of the agriculture sector as a whole. Marketing arrangement at different levels plays an important role in price levels at various stages, for instance, from farm gate to fork at consumers’ plate. Even though India is a major producer of milk and meat as well as vegetable items, there is still a huge gap that does not let the real stakeholder earn the benefits.
Speaking for the same cause and finding the root of this entire misguided profit, P Ravichandran of Danfoss Industries stressed on the need for an integrated approach to double farmers’ income. He said that there are many malpractices among farmers’ that do not let them have their deserving share of profit. CEO of National Centre for Cold Chain Development, Kohli gave an in-depth idea of the entire cold chain system of India. He said, merely 250 or 300 packhouses do not work for a huge nation like India, this concept has to be generalised. Above all, the transport linkages to available pack, houses are also missing which makes it worse to get hassle-free supply chain. Kohli also pointed out a very valid point of expanding to new markets along with reach to potential markets apart from waiting for a market to get developed. Supply chain development as a whole is more needed than specifically emphasising on cold chain, said, Kohli.
Manish Agarwal from Gati Ltd said, “in spite of lots of cold chain projects, the farmers’ are not getting benefitted, rather we are facing a challenge from foreign products that are easily available even though India produces better quality products than them.” He said that supply chain cost management is rather more important and advisable though it is complex in nature. He raised a valid point that “We in India have now started taking quality and safety as an important issue in food”.
Adani Agrifresh’s, S Ramanujam shared his experience of growing from 18,000 tonnes apple market in 2006 to massive two lakh tonnes in the current market. He said that we had this idea when we had observed Washington apples selling in India at high costs. Realisation of opportunity and getting involved in the direct procurement of selective apples from producers in Hilly regions had opened up multiple doors for all. He said that giving direct profit to farmers has helped a lot. He said that consistent value addition to consumers is the key to success.
Pankaj from Carrier Transicold said that we have transformed fruit business of Keenu farming in Punjab farmers, by sharing an entire plan of better profits with investments. He said it is a myth that global issues such as removal of carbon footprints cannot be handled with mechanisation. We have reduced 16 per cent of carbon footprints by reducing 75 per cent of wastage.
