MAKING COLD CHAINS COST-EFFECTIVE

The loss of food produced happens differently in developed and developing countries. In developing countries like India, much of the food loss occurs at the beginning of the chain. This can be attributed to poor storage, cooling, and transport infrastructure. In this article, JofiJoseph discusses the obstacles to penetration of cold chain in rural India and the implementation of a cost-effective cold chain from the farm to the fork.

- Jofi Joseph

According to the United Nations Development Programme, nearly 40% of the food produced in India is wasted from the farm to the fork. That translates to roughly ₹250 crore per day or more than ₹90,000 crore per year. These losses result in a lower income for the producer (farmer) and increases the cost for consumers. But the most significant impact is that it challenges our overall food security, as we need to feed our ever-growing population. It is estimated that saving even one-fourth of the food currently lost or wasted would be enough to feed the hungry people in India.

Food loss happens very differently in developed and developing countries. In developed countries, food waste and loss occurs largely at the end of the chain. It is estimated that in the United States, 31% of food loss occurs either at retail due to dumping of over-ordered or spoilt food or at the consumer end when they buy or cook more than they need and choose to throw out the extras. However, in developing countries like ours, most of the food loss occurs at the beginning of the chain. It occurs after harvest or during transit from the farm to the large consumption areas based in urban markets. This can be attributed to poor storage, cooling, and transport infrastructure.

Critical Elements in the Cold Chain

There are four critical elements of the cold chain that need to be implemented from the farmer to the consumer.

1. Post-harvest chilling and storage of produce in the village itself

2. Chilled transport of the produce from the village to the processing/ aggregation centre

3. Chilled transport of the finished product to the market