Food Loss Foot Print: Implications for Food Security and Environment in India

S.C. Ravi

No 277386, 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia from International Association of Agricultural Economists

Abstract: It is projected that, India s population would reach1.69 billion by 2050 and the demand for cereals is estimated to be around 390 to 465 mt. Presently 14.5 per cent of India s population is undernourished, thus posing a serious question on food security? On the other hand, food is lost due to various harvest and post harvest losses. The food lost serves as opportunity cost for the economy as well environment. Hence, this study focuses on food loss, its impact on food security and environment. The food loss footprint was calculated using the methodology developed by FAO. Results revealed that, carbon foot print was more in case of cereals (13.37 mt of CO2 equivalent). Of the total blue water that was utilized in producing the lost food, 59 per cent of the lost blue water was used for cereal production. The land and water saved by reducing the food loss could be used more efficiently in producing extra food. Lost food can be used to achieve food security. Timely harvesting and use of mechanization in harvesting is needed. There is a need to develop efficient supply chain network. Aerobic rice cultivation needs to be promoted to reduce GHG emission. Acknowledgement : The authors wishes to thanl, Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome; AICRP on Post Harvest Technology, CIPHET, PAU, Ludhiana; Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi and Inspire Fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.

Keywords: Environmental; Economics; and; Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:iaae18:277386

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.277386

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