Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar today emphasized the need to reduce post-harvest losses in horticultural sector. He said that 18-25% of horticultural produce is lost, as estimated by the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology study. 

The Agriculture Minister was delivering the inaugural address at the National Horticulture Conference 2013, here today. 

Shri Pawar called for giving the highest importance to cold chain infrastructure development and implement the recommendations of the Sumitra Chaudhuri report. 

While complimenting the farmers, scientists, extension workers and all those engaged in farm production for having achieved food security for the country, Shri Pawar asked them to keep in mind the demand for fruits and vegetables which continues to grow at a fast pace. 

The Agriculture Minister reiterated the need to implement ‘best practices’ developed by ICAR on the farm fields, and the need to analyze the yield gaps and benchmark India’s production with global exemplars. 

States will have to go in for taking up measures like mulching, use of water retaining agents, canopy management along with creation of water resources through community tanks, he added. 

Scientists, horticultural experts and officials participated in the day-long session. There were series of technical sessions held on different aspects of horticulture, and special sessions were held on strengthening cold chain, horticulture production issues and challenges, tropical, subtropical, temperate fruit crops, plantation and ornamental plants, tuber crops.