International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW)

On September 29, the world marks the IDAFLW to spotlight the ongoing crisis of food loss and waste, which threatens both food and climate security.

Global and Indian Context

• Globally, nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted.
• India, as a large food producer, faces significant post-harvest losses.
• A 2022 NABARD study reveals losses in agriculture costing ₹1.5 trillion annually, about 3.7% of its agricultural GDP.
• Fruits and vegetables have the highest losses (10%-15%), while staples like paddy and wheat also see considerable wastage.

Environmental and Economic Impact

• Food loss results in wasted resources such as water, energy, and labor.
• It impacts farmer incomes and national food availability, affecting environmental sustainability and climate stability.
• Food loss generates over 33 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually in India.

Government and International Response

• India conducted nationwide post-harvest surveys for over 50 crops to identify value-chain losses.
• The SDG indicator 12.3.1 strengthens accountability and aligns with international targets.
• A collaborative study by FAO and NIFTEM examines GHG emissions from post-harvest losses in India.

Challenges and Solutions

• Food loss in India mainly occurs during handling, processing, and distribution due to weak infrastructure.
• Strengthening cold chains, modern storage, and leveraging affordable technologies can significantly reduce losses.
• Programs like Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana aim to modernize food logistics.
• Digital tools and apps like FAO's Food Loss App (FLAPP) help track and reduce losses.

Call to Action

• IDAFLW serves as a reminder for concerted efforts to reduce food loss.
• Efforts require government integration of loss reduction into climate strategies, business innovation, and consumer awareness.
• Collective action can conserve resources and protect livelihoods.

The observance of IDAFLW is a call to save food, thus safeguarding the climate and resources.