LS debate: Fight over wastage

Post-harvest loss of agriculture produce may be one of the major arguments in favour of foreign direct investment (FDI) in supermarkets but quantification of wastage is yet not clear.

Taking part in the debate, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineers and Technology, Punjab, in its report had said the wastage of fruits and vegetables is only between 6 and 18%.

“The Government of India is deliberately not disclosing the report at this juncture,” he said.

The study was commissioned by the government at the request of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. Besides, the Fruit and Vegetable Merchants Association had also written to the government in 2008, giving them the actual figures which were around 5-7%.

 

“On a more detailed study we found that these are myths created by a few MNC retailers like Wal-Mart, TESCO, Metro GMBH, and Carrefour who are very keen to set up shops in India,” he alleged.

In his reply, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma maintained that 30-35% of fruits and vegetables were spoilt due to lack of infrastructure and storage facility.