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Presently, there is a yawning gap between the requirement and availability of refrigerated or temperature-controlled vehicles in Agri supply chains in India. This gap is one of the major reasons which is impacting farmers’ income negatively.
Notably, the Union Government is striving to double farmers’ income by the year 2022.
Due to the absence of appropriate transportation infrastructure, agriculture and horticulture produce lose freshness prior to reaching markets, as pointed out in a Knowledge Report named ‘Entering a New Era in Logistics’.
The report was prepared by Logistics Insider, in the capacity of Knowledge Partner, in association with ASSOCHAM for a National Conference held in Kolkata Multimodal Logistics System for Agriculture and Food Processing Sector.
The conference was supported by Union Ministry of Food Processing and Industries and Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture – West Bengal.
The report was unveiled by Mr PA Siddiqui IAS, Secretary, Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, West Bengal Government; Mrs Perminder Jeet Kaur, Director – East and Northeast, ASSOCHAM and other distinguished dignitaries present at National Conference focused on Multimodal Logistics System for Agriculture and Food Processing sector of India in Kolkata.
Mr Siddiqui in his address said, “We have been establishing Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) to ensure balance in Agriculture supply chain. Around 12,000 farmers of a particular area have joined hands to make these organizations and we are encouraging them for collecting activity.”
The total requirement of refrigerated or temperature-controlled vehicles stands at 62,000 on the pan-India basis and approximately 10,000 such vehicles are available in India. If this gap is plugged successfully then it will support in a seamless flow of agriculture & horticulture produce across the supply chain. This will reduce the wastage & losses of farmers. Reduction in wastage means more quantity will be available for sale, and hence it will increase Indian farmers’ income to a great extent.
