Question

Wastage of fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to be to the extent of

• A. 5-10%
• B. 20-25%
• C. 40-45%
• D. 50-60%

Hint:

In questions about agricultural statistics, look for the most reasonable and commonly cited figure. Extremely low or extremely high percentages are often distractors. Post-harvest loss is a major problem, so the figure will be significant, making 20-25% a plausible answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

 

Step 1: Understanding the Concept: 
The question asks for the estimated percentage of post-harvest losses for fresh fruits and vegetables in India. This is a key issue in the agricultural supply chain. 
 

Step 2: Detailed Explanation: 
Post-harvest losses in India are significant due to factors like inadequate infrastructure (cold storage, refrigerated transport), improper handling, and fragmented supply chains. While the exact percentage varies by crop, season, and region, and different studies provide different figures, a commonly cited range in government reports and academic literature for overall wastage of horticultural produce falls between 20% and 30%. \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{5-10\% is too low and is more typical of developed countries with advanced cold chains. } \\ \bullet & \text{40-60\% represents the higher end of estimates for highly perishable specific crops in specific adverse conditions, but is generally too high for an overall average. } \\ \bullet & \text{The 20-25\% range is a widely accepted and frequently quoted conservative estimate representing the substantial level of wastage. } \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer: 
The wastage of fresh fruits and vegetables is generally estimated to be in the range of 20-25%, although it can be higher for certain commodities.