KOHIMA — In Nagaland, 5.42% of tapioca produced in the state is lost due to inadequate storage, transportation and processing facilities, according to data from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
As per the ministry, a recent study conducted by NABARD Consultancy Service Pvt. Ltd (NABCONS) covered 54 crops across the country, selected based on production levels.
The study estimated post-harvest losses of various agricultural produce in India—including food grains and perishable crops—at different stages such as handling, storage, transportation and processing.
Among the northeastern states, the recorded post-harvest losses include tapioca (4.99%), turmeric (5.64%) and cashew nut (4.53%) in Meghalaya; cabbage (7.38%), egg (6.05%), meat (3.44%), mushroom (4.48%), paddy (6.67%), pineapple (7.11%), poultry meat (6.61%) and radish (5.14%) in Assam; and tapioca (5.42%) in Nagaland.
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The ministry stated that it estimates post-harvest losses from time to time through studies based on primary surveys.
It informed that two such studies were commissioned—one by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)–Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) in 2015 (reference period 2012–14), and another by NABCONS in 2022 (reference period 2020–22).
It added that these studies are periodic in nature and do not provide year-wise estimates.