Improve cold chain network: Pawar

The Hindu Business Line , Thursday, July 18, 2013
Correspondent :
New Delhi, July 17:

Emphasising the need to reduce post-harvest losses in the horticulture sector, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said a robust cold chain network would help domestic growers.

“We need to attach importance to cold chain infrastructure and implement the recommendations of the Saumitra Chaudhuri report so that we can effectively compete with the supply chain for imported apples, pears, grapes, kiwis and cherries, which is posing a major challenge to domestic growers,” Pawar said at the inauguration of the national horticulture conference.

Pawar said that the Government needed to address concerns of growers – from planting material to post- harvest management and issues of logistics and price discovery.

Stating that increasing production without protecting farmers was of no use, Pawar said, “the only way we can have equitable and inclusive growth is when small farmers can save enough to invest in newer production technologies.”

“If we do not make farming remunerative, we will not be able to retain the interest of younger generation,” Pawar said.

He said the demand for fruits and vegetables is expected grow at a faster pace with rising income levels, increasing urbanisation and changing food habits.

Pawar urged the States to support the creation of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to strengthen the horticulture sector. He also asked State Governments to take adequate measures to address the impact of climate change on horticulture crops.

 
SOURCE : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/improve-cold-chain-network-pawar/article4924638.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy
 


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