The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), in partnership with the Thünen Institute, Germany, is set to host the International Workshop on Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region. The workshop is scheduled to take place at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi, from October 30th to November 1st, 2023.
The distinguished event will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje. She will be joined by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director-General (DG) of ICAR, and Stefan Lange, Research Director of the Thünen Institute, Germany.
The Thünen Institute is a renowned research organization based in Germany. It focuses on sustainable agricultural production and responsible land use, offering valuable insights and expertise in various fields of agriculture and forestry.
The primary objective of this workshop is to tackle crucial concerns surrounding food losses and waste prevention within the South Asian Region. Key focus areas will include:
- Assessment and Impact of Postharvest Losses and Food Waste: Understanding the magnitude and consequences of postharvest losses and food waste.
- Prevention of Postharvest Losses in the Supply Chain: Exploring methods to prevent losses in the food supply chain.
- Prevention of Food Waste in Households and Community Activities: Addressing household and community-level strategies to prevent food waste.
- Role of Food Bank Networks and Circular Economy: Examining the role of food bank networks and circular economy concepts in waste reduction.
The workshop will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders from South Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, and others. These participants will engage in extensive discussions on the socioeconomic, environmental, and societal impact of food loss and waste in the region. Additionally, they will exchange insights on methodologies for measuring and assessing these issues.
The program will feature presentations by stakeholders from South Asian countries, Germany, the USA, and UN organizations. In addition, panel discussions will delve into various aspects and potential solutions related to food loss and waste. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit organizations that have successfully addressed the challenge of post-harvest losses and food wastage.
Delegates attending the event represent a broad spectrum of sectors, including industry, ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, and government agencies such as the Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation, IGNOU, IIT, and more.
The occurrence and scale of post-harvest losses and food waste can vary significantly across regions, influenced by factors such as the type of crops, duration of storage, climatic conditions, technological interventions, societal behaviour, and traditions. This workshop has been inspired by a bilateral meeting held between India and Germany during the G20 Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture in Varanasi in April 2023. Both countries recognized the need to organize a regional workshop to address the challenges associated with food loss and waste, recognizing its impact on food security, environment, economy, and society.
