ICAR and Thunen Institute, Germany to Organize a Workshop on Food Loss & Waste Prevention

The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), in collaboration with the Thünen Institute, is set to host the International Workshop on Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region. This significant event will take place at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex in New Delhi from October 30th to November 1st, 2023.

The workshop is poised to be inaugurated by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, and will witness the presence of prominent figures in the field, including Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) - Director General (ICAR), and Stefan Lange, Research Director at the Thünen Institute in Germany.

The primary objective of the workshop is to address key issues related to food loss and waste within the South Asian Region. The topics to be discussed include the Assessment and Impact of Postharvest Losses and Food Waste, Prevention of Postharvest Losses in the Supply Chain, Prevention of Food Waste in Households and Community Activities, and the Role of Food Bank Networks and Circular Economy.

This collaborative effort will bring together stakeholders from various South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, among others. Participants will engage in discussions focusing on the economic, environmental, and societal impacts of food loss and waste within the South Asian Region.

They will also share knowledge and expertise regarding methodologies for measuring and assessing food loss and waste. Furthermore, the workshop will serve as a platform for sharing information on technologies, approaches, and strategies to prevent food loss and waste, featuring success stories and case studies from countries in the region.

The workshop program will encompass presentations from stakeholders from South Asian countries as well as representatives from Germany, the United States, and various United Nations organizations. Panel discussions on critical issues and available solutions will be held, followed by visits to organizations that have successfully addressed the challenges of post-harvest losses and food wastage.

A diverse range of delegates will participate in the event, representing various sectors such as industry, ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, and government agencies, including the Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation, IGNOU, and IIT.

Food loss and waste are issues that vary significantly across different regions of the world, influenced by factors such as crop types, storage duration, climate conditions, technological interventions, human behaviors, and cultural traditions. The decision to organize this regional workshop stems from a bilateral meeting between India and Germany during the G20-MACS in Varanasi in April 2023.

Both countries recognized the need to address the challenges of food loss and waste, acknowledging that despite abundant agricultural production, a substantial amount of food is lost or wasted throughout the food supply chain, affecting food security, environmental sustainability, the economy, and society. This issue holds particular significance for the South Asian Region, which is both a major food producer and consumer.

This workshop is expected to yield valuable insights, strategies, and partnerships that can contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure future for South Asia.