Swasti Timande

Middle School Finalist, Grade 6
Columbus, Indiana

Uprooting Produce Waste – India’s Hidden Food Security Challenge

"If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right" -M. S. Swaminathan

Last year, when I went to India and my parents took me to the market, my jaw dropped when I saw huge piles of vegetables and fruits rotting! From watching the news with my parents, I knew that in the monsoon, lots of produce was wasted from lack of storage. Still, I hadn’t expected the waste to be year-round, when agriculture makes up most of India’s GDP, and 50% of its employment (Indian Economic Survey-2021). Seeing usable produce wasted was something I’ll never forget, especially since it affected 190 million undernourished Indians. My dad comes from a family of farmers, so the waste hit home—where farmers work the hardest but can never increase their living standards, and sometimes reach the poverty line or go into debt.

What are the causes of produce waste?

When you hear that 350 million tons of agricultural waste is generated in India each year, you wonder, “Why is all this produce wasted?”

Insufficient storage: After growing plots full of produce, production is plentiful, but cold storage is scarce when needed.

Poor transportation: Inadequate infrastructure, poor road conditions, and limited access in rural areas aren’t rare in India. All of these barriers slow transportation, heightening the risk of produce rotting on the way to market.

Inefficient supply chains: Many smaller farmers with monthly profits below ₹5,000 ($59) grow most of India’s crops. Due to lack of knowledge of NPOs like Ecozen and Selco Foundation, which help to increase shelf life, farmers can’t easily access better-paying customers or efficient supply chains.

Consumer preferences: People shy away from abnormal-looking produce, which ends up wasted for no reason.

What are some effects of produce waste?

To see the urgency, we should realise the effects caused by it.

Export: Because of slow transport, by the time produce reaches stores, much has rotted. So more produce is needed to fulfill needs, and less can be traded with other countries.

Pollution: When fresh produce rots from rain and humidity, the trash isn’t composted but thrown in landfills. This produces methane, worsening climate change and polluting oceans, affecting animals and nature.

Poverty and food insecurity: Waste affects farmers and citizens. Farmers use resources to grow produce, which when wasted, wastes their money too, pushing them into poverty. Many then avoid agriculture as a profession. Also, because less produce is grown, partly because of fewer farmers, poorer people can’t afford scarce food.

How can we help?

"When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves." —Anthony J. D'Angelo

  1. Create Awareness
    It may seem unsolved, but many organizations already help farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) teaches farmers how to increase shelf life. Save Indian Grain (SIG) promotes modern storage. All you have to do is spread awareness about these organizations!

  2. Buy Smart and Store Well
    If you want to help but don’t have time, take simple actions. When shopping, choose vegetables on top of the pile instead of fishing for perfect ones. Only buy what you can eat, and donate extra fruits to people in need!

  3. Support Sustainable Solutions
    For a direct approach, support sustainable solutions! For example, I decided instead of having a materialistic party for my birthday, I'll donate to an organization in India, supporting a country, or even just a farmer! Even little help makes a difference!

Produce waste seems invisible but shows visible consequences, like poverty, export barriers, and environmental damage. If everyone takes small steps to spread awareness and support better solutions, we can help make sure nourishing produce doesn’t end up in landfills while 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry each day. Be the change, save food, feed a life!