Agri logistics, which permits connectivity between production and consumption centres across both space and time with minimum quality and quantity loss, is the backbone of agribusiness. India's attempt to promote food security is centered on reducing food wastage. While boosting output has been a priority, food supply chain losses have been largely disregarded until recently.
Keeping this in mind, ASSOCHAM hosted a Virtual Conference, today, on ‘Improving Maharashtra's Agri Logistics Sector Challenges and Opportunities- A Roadmap Ahead,’ with the goal of debating issues that can improve the country's Agri Logistics sector's rate of growth and recording all necessary steps to enter a new era of Agriculture Logistics to improve productivity, with a strong focus on latest opportunities in the sector and a slight focus on technology, marketing, finance, export and a slight focus on technology, marketing, finance, and infra facilities.
Several notable speakers took part in this virtual conference and provided their important perspectives on how to improve Maharashtra's Agri logistics sector. It must be noted that Krishi Jagran is the media partner as well as moderator of the conference.
MC Dominic, Founder & Editor in Chief of Krishi Jagran & Agriculture World, moderated the entire session. He said, "There’s a lot of problem with agricultural food wastage right now since everyone is focusing on production rather than its optimal utilization.” Thereby, he invited Sandeep Pote to share his thoughts.
Sandeep Pote, Managing Director of CB Logistics, expressed gratitude to MC Dominic, ASSOCHAM, and all panelists, saying, "The entire world is looking at India as an investment destination because we have a lot of opportunity in the Agri sector." He emphasized that today's farmer begins to use various platforms, such as Sahyadri farms and FPOs, to reach out to end customers.
Furthermore, Sandeep stated that we are dealing with a problem of food damage and loss and that the cause of this is a lack of infrastructural facilities, and that cold chain infrastructure can play an important role in reducing food waste.
In terms of logistics, he believes that the speed with which farm products are delivered from farm to market and then to consumers is very important. For that, we will need a well-trained team in supply chain & logistics. In his closing remarks, he urged that we all focus on green transportation and electric vehicles in order to reduce our carbon footprints.
Another speaker, Govind Hande, Advisor at Agri Export Maharashtra started his presentation by giving the panelists and the audience an overview of Maharashtra’s agriculture and horticulture sector, highlighting the fact that Maharashtra ranked number 1 in Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index.
He also familiarized the panel with a statistical overview of the agriculture sector in Maharashtra such as Maharashtra is the largest producer for food grains, pulses, sugarcane and oilseeds. Around 55% of people in Maharashtra depend on agriculture as the primary source of livelihood.
Hande then continued explaining the crops exported from India and what share of it is contributed by Maharashtra alone in the year 2020-2021. Next, he presented the panel with the challenges faced during export, namely, quality parameter, pesticide residue, food safety, quarantine regulation, traceability and promotion of GI brand.
During the Q&A session, MC Dominic asked the panelists about their problems and what kind of government assistance they need. Sandeep Pote responded by highlighting issues such as high transportation fuel costs and a lack of trained manpower, among others, and requesting government assistance in this regard. "Cooperatives and FPOs have well-established infrastructure and linkages to provide all kinds of supports to farmers," Goverdhan Singh Rawat said. As a result, they also require financial assistance from the state and central governments.
MC Dominic emphasized the importance of Agri media these days, stating that Krishi Jagran is such a platform for amplifying the voice of the farming community and providing a clear picture of what's happening on the ground. Sandeep Pote congratulated MC Dominic on his work in the field of agricultural journalism.
The conference was concluded by Sumita Chakraborty (ASSOCHAM) with a vote of thanks.
