Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, has highlighted the need to increase storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and reduce price fluctuations during various seasons. Mr. Thakur said this while addressing a Stakeholder Consultation on Horticulture Clusters and Value Chain Development with a focus on vegetable clusters in New Delhi today.

He also stressed the importance of supporting smallholder farmers through farmer-producer organisations and the creation of clusters that provide essential infrastructure. As well as the access to the market and ensuring long-term sustainability and grassroots impact.

He also emphasised that the sector’s focus should be ‘No child without access to fruits and vegetables’, to counter the nation-wide problem of malnutrition among children. Mr. Thakur further urged the stakeholders to keep the farmers at the centre of all their discussions and suggest solutions to maximise their profits. 

The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmer groups, government agencies, ministries, start-ups, and private sector players, to deliberate on the future of agriculture in India.