Lok Sabha Question No. 3115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Wastage of Fruits and Vegetables due to lack of Proper Storage
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3115

ANSWERED ON 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## WASTAGE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DUE TO LACK OF PROPER STORAGE

## 3115.  DR. ANAND KUMAR:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and a large quantity of these gets wasted due to poor processing and lack of proper storage, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that full-time courses are available in the country in areas like hotel management, dietician etc. but there is a lack of dedicated courses or skill  training  in  the  field  of  food  processing  sector  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  start  such  dedicated  courses  or  skill  training programmes  related  to  food  processing  to  promote  better  management  and  value addition of fruits and vegetables; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government proposes to do so in the near future, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

- (a): Yes, sir, it is a fact that India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Further, as per studies conducted by Indian Council for Agricultural Research - Central Institute of PostHarvest Engineering & Technology (ICAR-CIPHET), 2015 and NABARD Consultancy Service Pvt. Ltd (NABCONS), 2022, the estimated percentage of Harvest and Post-Harvest loss of Fruits and vegetables in India is as follows:

| Crops/ Commodities   | Estimated Percentage Loss       | Estimated Percentage Loss   |
|----------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                      | As per ICAR-CIPHET Study (2015) | As perNABCONS study (2022)  |
| Fruits               | 6.70-15.88                      | 6.02-15.05                  |
| Vegetables           | 4.58-12.44                      | 4.87-11.61                  |

With  the  aim  to  reduce  post-harvest  losses  of  agricultural  produce  including  fruit  and vegetable crops, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) supports the establishment of  the  food  processing  industries  to  create  processing/preservation  capacities  through  various component schemes of Central Sector umbrella scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)' and Centrally Sponsored "PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)  Scheme.  A total  of  1619  projects  have  been  sanctioned  across  the  country  since inception under PMKSY, out of which 1181 projects have been completed as on 31st October, 2025 creating processing and preservation capacity of 269.61 LMT/ annum (Lakh Metric Tonne).

Further, under PMFME scheme, as on 31 st  October, 2025 loans have been approved to 162744 units for setting up/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country.

(b) to (d): Yes, Sir. The Government has taken several initiatives to bridge the skill gap in the food processing sector. For imparting skill training, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Sector Skill Council for Food Processing that was established by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has more than 60 job roles approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). These job roles are approved as per qualification packs that are created by the experts based on industry requirements. All qualification packs are updated after every 36 months to reflect the current requirements of the industry. The approved job roles include emerging areas like plant based proteins, fortified foods and micro credentials covering FSSAI mandated requirements and frameworks designed to ensure safety and integrity of food products. In addition, Ministry of Food Processing Industries ensures to provide the sector related short term training through its schemes and Institutions.

In addition, Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme being implemented  by  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  has  a  capacity  building  training component, under which capacity building trainings are conducted by the State/UT Governments. It  envisages  short-term  training  of  24  Hours/3  Days,  Food  Processing  EDP  (Entrepreneurship Development Programme) Training for all applicants viz. individuals and Groups (SHGs/ FPOs/ Cooperatives) recommended for availing credit linked grant by District Level Committee (DLC) and 8 hours/1 day training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed Capital under the scheme engaged in micro food processing. 1,09,312 beneficiaries have been trained across India from 2020-21 till 2024-25.

Besides  the  above,  two  Institutes  of  National  Importance  (INI's)  viz.  National  Institute  of Food  Technology  Entrepreneurship  and  Management  (NIFTEM)  located  at  Thanjavur  (Tamil Nadu) and Kundli (Haryana) under the administrative control of this Ministry are also running graduation  and  post-graduation  degree  courses  and  providing  degrees  in  Food  Technology  & Management. Further, the NIFTEMs through their short-term skill/capacity building/entrepreneurship development programmes, trained 32255 and 1516 persons respectively during the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25.

Further, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative [FICSI], the Sector Skill Council for Food  Processing  under  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship,  have  launched specialized training programmes in partnership with educational and technical institutions. FICSI has trained and certified over 2.72 lakh candidates in food-processing job roles since 2015-16, which include 2.60 lakh candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in collaboration with Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, Food Technology Institutes, Food Processing Industries and State Skill Missions.

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