India faces significant challenges related to food waste, impacting both the economy and the environment. Addressing this issue is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing food security, and improving the livelihoods of millions of Indians. Here, we explore the potential for decarbonization through innovative food waste reduction strategies in India, supported by data, examples, and case studies up to 2030.

 

Current Scenario

India wastes an estimated 67 million tonnes of food every year, which is worth around ?92,651 crores (approximately USD 12.6 billion). This wastage occurs across the food supply chain, from production and post-harvest handling to retail and consumption. Reducing this waste is essential for both economic and environmental sustainability.

Challenges

• Post-Harvest Losses: Lack of adequate storage, transportation, and handling facilities leads to significant losses of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Around 40% of fruits and vegetables and 30% of grains are wasted post-harvest.
• Retail and Consumer Waste: Inefficient inventory management, improper packaging, and consumer behavior contribute to waste at the retail and household levels. Retail sector food waste is estimated to be around 5-10% of the total supply.
• Lack of Awareness and Education: Limited knowledge about food preservation and waste reduction practices among farmers and consumers exacerbates the problem. Only about 4% of India’s population is aware of the environmental impact of food waste.
• Environmental Impact: Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at multiple stages. When food waste ends up in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than CO2.
• CO2 Emissions from Food Waste: Annually, India’s food waste is estimated to emit around 195 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, considering both production and landfill emissions.
• Methane Emissions: Food waste in landfills contributes significantly to methane emissions. Proper management can drastically reduce these emissions. Methane emissions from food waste in India are estimated to be around 10 million tonnes annually.

Key Technologies

Food Sharing and Redistribution Platforms

• Digital Solutions: Apps like Feeding India by Zomato and the Robin Hood Army facilitate the redistribution of surplus food from restaurants and events to the needy.  As of 2023, Feeding India has served over 50 million meals.
• Community Kitchens: Initiatives such as Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Canteen provide subsidized meals to the poor, reducing food wastage from retail and hospitality sectors.

Cold Chain Infrastructure

• Expansion of Cold Storage: Increasing the number of cold storage units can significantly reduce post-harvest losses. Currently, India has about 7,645 cold storage facilities with a total capacity of 36.7 million tonnes, but it needs an additional 60 million tonnes to meet the demand.
• Refrigerated Transport: Improved transportation infrastructure for perishable goods can help maintain the quality and reduce spoilage. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is working on enhancing its cold chain logistics, which could reduce post-harvest losses by 15-20%.

AI and Big Data for Inventory Management

• Smart Retail Solutions: Retail chains like BigBasket and Reliance Fresh use AI-driven inventory management systems to reduce overstocking and spoilage. 
• AI in Agriculture: Companies like CropIn are leveraging AI and big data to provide farmers with real-time insights and predictive analytics, optimizing harvests and reducing waste. Predictive analytics can improve yield forecasting by 15-20%, reducing surplus production.

Promoting Imperfect Produce

• Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Campaigns promoting the consumption of “ugly” fruits and vegetables help reduce waste at the retail level. Initiatives like the "Imperfectly Delicious" campaign have gained traction.
• Partnerships with Retailers: Collaboration with retailers to sell imperfect produce can prevent significant amounts of food from being discarded. Organizations like The Ugly Indian have been pivotal in promoting such collaborations.

Case Studies

• Feeding India by Zomato: Feeding India by Zomato is a prominent food recovery network in India. Since its inception, it has facilitated the redistribution of millions of meals by partnering with restaurants, corporate events, and social functions. Their extensive volunteer network ensures that surplus food reaches the underprivileged, reducing both food waste and hunger.
• BigBasket's AI-Driven Inventory Management: BigBasket, one of India’s leading online grocery stores, has implemented AI-driven inventory management systems to minimize food wastage. By accurately predicting demand and optimizing supply chains, BigBasket has reduced its food waste by nearly 25% since 2020. This not only helps in cost savings but also in reducing the carbon footprint of food retail.
• Swiggy’s "The Coimbatore Project": In collaboration with the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, Swiggy launched a project to redistribute surplus food from restaurants to NGOs and shelters. This initiative has successfully redistributed over 200,000 meals and reduced food waste in the city by 15%.