Overview:
India’s food industry is rapidly growing, making it the second-largest producer of food globally, next to China, with an estimated food processing industry size of US$ 70 billion. However, post-harvest losses remain a significant challenge in the fruit and vegetable industry, hindering efforts to double farmers’ income and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Every year, a substantial portion of produce is lost, directly or indirectly affecting farmers and small retailers. Research indicates that more than 30-50% of fruits and vegetables (doi: 10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.3206851) are lost post-harvest in India. In contrast, countries like the USA, China, and Europe have significantly reduced waste by enhancing value addition and extending the shelf-life of farm produce. Reports from the Economic Times and Times of India reveal that in 2017-18, India produced 283 million tonnes of food grains and over 300 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables. However, post-harvest losses resulted in a 20-25% deficit in per capita availability.
These losses have severe economic consequences, with India incurring an annual economic drain of Rs 2.4 trillion due to inadequate post-harvest technologies, particularly in storage and transportation. Among Indian states, West Bengal faces the highest post-harvest losses (Rs 13,657 crore), followed by Gujarat (Rs 11,400 crore), Bihar (Rs 10,700 crore), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 10,300 crore). Losses occur at multiple stages, from harvesting, storage, and transportation to retail distribution and consumer levels.
The rising cost of fruits due to post-harvest losses makes them less affordable for consumers, emphasizing the urgent need for cost-effective, safe technologies to extend shelf-life. Recognizing this challenge, extensive research has been conducted to identify sustainable solutions. As part of this effort, Fruvetech has focused on developing innovative shelf-life enhancers validated in both laboratory and field settings. These self-sustainable systems provide safe storage solutions for fruits, vegetables, and perishable items like fresh mushroo
Fruvetech, founded in 2021 by Dr. Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti, Dr Aprajita Kumari with BIRAC-support startup recognized by Startup India. The company’s mission is to address post-harvest losses with scalable, market-ready technologies that enhance the longevity of fresh produce, benefiting farmers, retailers, and consumers alike.