India Loses Around $13 Billion Worth of Food Every Year as Climate Change Adds to the Problem
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India is losing an estimated $13 billion worth of food every year. The main reason is an shortage of proper cold-chain infrastructure, the network of refrigerated storage, transport, and handling that keeps fresh produce cool from the farm to the market. At the same time, extreme weather and rising food prices are making the situation harder for farmers, traders, and families.
Without enough cold storage, fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods can spoil quickly, especially in hot weather. Farmers often have to sell their crops soon after harvest, sometimes at low prices, because they have nowhere safe to keep them. Long journeys in trucks without temperature control can also damage produce before it reaches shops and homes. These losses reduce the amount of food available to consumers and waste the resources, such as water, land, and labour, that went into growing it.
Climate change is making the problem worse. Rising temperatures, unexpected heatwaves, heavy rain, and other extreme weather events can damage crops in the fields and increase spoilage after harvest. Experts say that as these weather patterns become more frequent, the pressure on food supply chains will grow. Rising food prices add another challenge, since households with lower incomes are often the most affected when food is both more expensive and more likely to be wasted.
Experts and policymakers often point to better cold storage, improved transport, and modern handling methods as ways to reduce losses. Investment in these areas could help farmers earn more for their produce and give consumers fresher food at more stable prices. As India continues to face the effects of climate change, reducing food losses is becoming an important part of efforts to strengthen food security.
Sources: Business Today
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