Only an improved cold chain can raise farmers’ income

India is lacking a robust supply system that can improve farming income by reducing the considerable wastage—sometimes up to 40% of production—that blights India’s rural areas.

“India’s greatest need is for an effective cold chain solution that will integrate the supply chains for agricultural commodities from their respective production centres to consumption centres, thereby reducing physical waste and loss of value of perishable commodities​,” said Pawanexh Kohli, advisor to the National Centre for Cold Chain Development.

Being largely unorganised, the supply chain suffers from a lack of transport facilities, meaning greater reliance on middlemen, he added. 

In the process of bringing produce to market, losses occur in the quantity and quality of the produce, owing to improper facilities and poor handling practices employed by these intermediaries.

“We need to protect those who provide food for all. The doubling of farmers’ income is not possible without doubling the sales and doubling market rate of the agricultural produce, and cold chain is a key enabler to make this happen​,” added Kohli.