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Food processing: Challenges and approaches towards zero wastage
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Thursday, 05 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Dr Rajani B Athawale and Aliefia Lehri
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India, a nation with deep agrarian roots, has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Today, we are at a position where we must bridge the chasm between demand and supply in our agricultural and food systems. As one of the world’s largest producers of cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, spices, and pulses, the nation’s food ecosystem supports livelihoods, rural economies, and national food security. The era of green revolution and white revolution which occurred after the severe food shortages in the 1960s, ushered in significant gains in production and revenue generation, creating self-sufficiency amongst the agricultural and allied communities.
Yet, despite remarkable agricultural output, India grapples with persistent challenges such as post-harvest losses, supply chain inefficiencies, malnutrition, and inequitable access to nutritious foods. Food processing — a holistic assemblage of technologies and systems that convert raw produce into safe, shelf-stable, nutritious food — plays an integral role in bridging these gaps and shaping future health outcomes of our country.
Agriculture in India: Trends in Production and Economic impact
Agriculture remains at the heart of India’s economy and food systems. Nearly half of India’s labour force earns its livelihood through farming and allied activities. Agricultural occupations contribute significantly to national GDP. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the Indian agriculture sector provides livelihood support to about 42.3 per cent of the population and has a share of 18.2 per cent in the country’s GDP. In the second quarter of FY 2025, the agriculture sector recorded a growth rate of 3.5 per cent, reflecting a notable recovery from the previous four quarters, during which growth ranged between 0.4 per cent and 2.0 per cent. Today, India is the world’s largest producer of milk and spices and ranks among the top producers of fruits and vegetables. This diverse raw material possesses the potential for growth in processing industries.
The scale of agricultural production and its linkage with organised agribusiness entities is reflected in the performance of leading agriculture-focused companies in India. The major commercial contributors in India have been highlighted in Table 1.
Table 1: Major agriculture-centric companies in India and their turnover (FY 2025)
| Company |
Primary Agriculture Focus |
Revenue / Turnover (? Cr) |
Source |
| GCMMF (Amul) |
Dairy
production & farmer cooperative |
~?66,000
(GCMMF turnover) |
ET –
Amul FY25 revenue |
| AWL Agri Business |
Edible
oils & staples (agri value chain) |
?30,000
– ?40,000 (industry disclosure estimate) |
AWL
company profile (editors’ estimate) |
| Godrej Agrovet |
Animal
feed, crop protection, oil palm & agribusiness |
?9,400
– ?11,000 (industry range) |
Agritell
/ market commentary |
| DeHaat |
Agritech
platform (inputs, advisory, markets) |
?
3,000 |
ET –
DeHaat FY25 revenue reported |
| Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. |
Hybrid
seeds & planting material |
?
1,060 |
Company
profile – seed industry data |
Cultivation zones in India
Our country’s agro-climatic diversity results in distinct regional “hotspots” of cultivation that shape food processing priorities. An array of different climatic conditions results in development of several zones suitable for different types of crops. Furthermore, seasonal variations give rise to different cropping seasons - Kharif and Rabi.
The zonal diversity of India with regards to agriculture and allied operations can be further described as:
(1) Western Himalayas - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, fruits and spices.
(2) Eastern Himalayas - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, fruits, and spices.
(3) North-Eastern region - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits, spices, plantation crops, and commercial crops.
(4) Gangetic plains - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, and commercial crops.
(5) Indus plains - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, and commercial crops.
(6) Eastern Ghats - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, roots and tubers, fruits, oilseeds, spices, and commercial crops.
(7) Western Ghats - Cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits, spices, plantation crops, and commercial crops.
(8) The Islands region, the Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar group of islands - Plantation crops, vegetables, and roots and tubers.
This spatial understanding can help develop targeted investment in processing facilities, cold storages, and preservation technologies that match local supply and workforce capacities. It also enables more equitable access to food systems for rural communities.
Technological Advances in Food Processing
Modern food processing technologies enhance product quality, safety, and nutritional value. These approaches can be employed to maximise the shelf life and freshness of food products. This ensures lower rates of post-harvest spoilage and ensures an adequate mapping between demand and supply of food. Some of the commercially used methods include:
- Thermal and non-thermal processing such as pasteurisation, high-pressure processing and irradiation to extend shelf life while stalling microbial growth
- Controlled atmosphere and cold chain technologies reduce spoilage and maintain nutrient profiles.
- Efficient packaging systems help retain moisture, reduce oxidation, and prevent degradation.
- Sensor-based systems for quality monitoring provide real-time data to processors and supply chain stakeholders.
Research in smart storage systems, such as controlled environments for onions and advanced quality monitoring tools for fruits can be utilised for maintaining freshness and preventing wastage.
These technologies also align with public health goals by preserving nutrients and enabling the development of fortified and functional foods that can help address micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in Indian diets.
Government Initiatives: Policies, Schemes, and Infrastructure
The Government of India (GoI) has recognised the importance of food processing as a growth engine and as a mechanism to reduce wastage, boost rural incomes, and enhance food security. Major flagship schemes include:
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY):
A comprehensive programme focused on modern infrastructure and retail distribution. Components include mega food parks, integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure, and food safety labs.
Mega Food Parks are equipped with facilities such as cold storage, packaging and testing. They link farmers directly with markets. Integrated Cold Chain Schemes prevent spoilage of perishable products. As of mid-2025, hundreds of such projects with considerable storage capacity have been commissioned, enhancing rural economies and processing capability.
2.ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency)
This is a government-supported agricultural extension scheme in India designed to modernise and decentralise the agricultural extension system, making it farmer-centric and accountable. This scheme operates at the block and village levels where teams and farmer committees help prepare local action plans and provide feedback on farmers’ needs.
3.Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
A Central sector financing scheme launched by the Government of India to strengthen the infrastructure by providing medium-to long-term financing for agricultural infrastructure projects. It aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve supply chains, and increase farmers’ incomes by supporting the creation and expansion of facilities and providing better market access.
These initiatives not only enhance processing infrastructure but also contribute to rural job creation, supply chain efficiencies, and healthier food options accessible at scale.
Challenges: Losses, Supply Chain, and Farmer Realities
Despite the establishment of policies and infrastructure investment, challenges continue to limit the full potential of our food sector.
- Post-harvest losses: Due to inadequate cold storage and logistics, fruits, vegetables and staples go to waste each year, with significant perishable commodities being wasted. To counter this, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) had commissioned a study to determine post-harvest losses of agri produce in India in 2022 with respect to 54 crops/commodities selected across the country.
- Fragmented supply networks: The dominance of large corporations leaves local producers capturing a small share of final value.
- Infrastructure gaps: Although cold chain and storage projects are growing, last-mile connectivity and coverage remain uneven, particularly in hilly and remote districts.
- Limited technology access: Smaller farmers often lack capital and skills to adopt modern technologies.
These systemic challenges result in food wastage, reduce farmer incomes, and degrade nutritional outcomes for consumers.
Public Health and Nutrition: Calorie Deficits, Fortification, and Access
India’s food processing sector intersects with public health interests such as tackling calorie deficits, micronutrient malnutrition, and diet-related non-communicable diseases. Efforts must be undertaken to ensure that food products reach the underprivileged rather than being disposed of. Additionally processed foods must be fortified responsibly to bridge nutritional gaps by delivering iron, vitamin A, iodine, and essential macronutrients through staples that are widely consumed. Through various efforts taken by the Government, India became the first country to develop genome-edited rice varieties which can provide higher yield, climate adaptability, and aid in water conservation. This ensures longer shelf lives so that these staples are accessible to all.
Future Pathways: Integration, Technology, and Equity
Realising India’s full food processing potential requires:
- Analysing supply networks that link farms, processors, retailers, and consumers with transparency.
- Expanding cold chain and storage infrastructure to reduce losses and improve availability.
- Promoting decentralised areas and local value addition models for local farmers’ growth.
- Enhancing quality monitoring system at the district and zilla level to track productivity and scheme utilisation.
- Strengthening nutrition-oriented processing through fortification, quality standards, and public–private partnerships.
Ultimately, food processing in India should be carried out not only with the perspective of strengthening our economy but also to enhance nutrition, strengthen rural livelihoods, and build efficient health systems.
(The authors are I/c principal & head, Department of Pharmaceutics and assistant professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prin. K. M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, respectively. They can be reached at rb.athawale@kmkcp.edu.in and ay.lehri@kmkcp.edu.in)
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