- Pakistan loses 40% of crops post-harvest, needs urgent policy reforms
According to the ‘Food Waste Index Report 2024’ issued through the UN Environment Programme, a staggering 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted last year. Shockingly, this accounts for approximately 20 per cent of all food available to consumers. Food waste beyond the ethical dilemma, contributes significantly to 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions — almost 5.0 times greater than the aviation sector. The environmental toll is further compounded by the biodiversity loss caused by food production that never reaches consumers.
Economically, food waste costs the worldwide economy $1 trillion yearly, making it a crisis that must no longer be ignored. In 2024, food waste remains a critical issue in Pakistan, affecting food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Despite food scarcity problems and a significant portion of the population experiencing food insecurity, high levels of food are wasted across the supply chain — from production and post-harvest stages to distribution, retail and household consumption.
Post-harvest losses in Pakistan’s agriculture sector remain high because of inadequate storage facilities, transportation inefficiencies, and lack of proper harvesting techniques. About 30-40 per cent of produce is lost between farms and markets. In our country, limited cold chain infrastructure remains a barrier for small and medium farmers, who often cannot afford the costs associated with it. Food waste is prevalent in wholesale markets, where inadequate handling, overstocking, and lack of adequate distribution systems lead to large quantities of spoiled food. Poorly coordinated supply chains, along with limited planning and forecasting, result in wastage because of overproduction or sudden surges in supply. At the household level, cultural practices, portion sizes, and a lack of awareness about food conservation contribute to food waste. Unluckily weddings, parties, and religious gatherings often lead to large quantities of leftovers that are not repurposed or donated. Furthermore, banquets overflow with excessive food in our country; millions struggle to secure even basic meals. The government of Pakistan needs a comprehensive national policy.
Policy reforms must focus on enhancing food storage infrastructure and post-harvest logistics to prevent wastage. At the same time, educational campaigns are crucial for growing awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste.
Sources recorded that the role of the private sector cannot be overlooked as hotels and restaurants must be incentivised to adopt sustainable food practices. Food waste exacerbates food insecurity by reducing the amount of food available for those in need. Despite being an agricultural nation, approximately 20 per cent of the country’s population still faces food insecurity, a disparity made worse by the high rates of wasted food. Food wastage translates to significant economic losses, mainly for retailers and farmers.
In Pakistan, where food security remains a pressing problem, food waste underscores and potentially worsens social inequalities. Other states furthermore, in the region also face food insecurity, though to varying extents. India, for example, has made important strides in food production and is a top producer of cereals, pulses, and milk. However, food insecurity remains prevalent because of unequal distribution and poverty. According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India ranks poorly, with persistent malnutrition. While India’s public distribution system (PDS) assisted in alleviating some of the food insecurity issues, inefficiencies, corruption, and logistical problems hinder its full effectiveness.
The Covid-19 further deepened food insecurity in India because of widespread income losses. Various states developed food banks and apps that assist in redistributing surplus food from restaurants and households to those in need.
In Pakistan, a multi-faceted approach involving the government, private sector, NGOs, and local communities can foster a culture of food conservation and ensure that food reaches those who need it most, rather than ending up in landfills. The government of Pakistan and NGOs started measures aimed at growing awareness about food waste and encouraging households to reduce waste. According to the government of Pakistan to provide adequate nutrition to the people of Pakistan, calories per capita have been observed from commonly used commodities. The availability of cereals has increased over the years, suggesting a positive growth in staple food production.
Conversely, the availability of fruits and vegetables has declined as of 2021-22. Pulses, milk, and edible oil have shown variability, with a slight decrease in per capita availability in FY2024 following an increase in the previous year. While milk availability experienced a minor reduction in FY2024, the availability of meat and eggs has consistently risen over the years. Over the three years, the availability of calories per capita per day shows a modest overall increase, although a slight decrease has been observed in FY2024. The cost of the minimum food basket (per capita per month) exhibited fluctuations over the period from July 2023 to March 2024.
A gradual increase is observed initially, with the cost rising from Rs 5826 in July to Rs 6087 in October 2023. However, the most significant surge occurred in November, when the cost rose from Rs 6087 to Rs 6256. Following slight decreases in December 2023 and February 2024, the cost reaches a peak of Rs 6384 in March 2024. In general, the cost of a minimum food basket increased by 9.6 per cent from July 2023 to March 2024, with noteworthy fluctuations throughout the period. The cost of a basket in FY 2024 was more than the cost of a basket in FY 2023.