Responsible Consumption for Curbing Food Wastage: An Exploratory Enquiry

Abstract

The world population crossed seven billion during year 2011 and is expected to touch the mark of 9.3 billion by the year 2050. This increase in number of people all over the world will invariably lead to an increase in demand of food at a humongous scale. In a report prepared for the Global Food Security Programme, Bond et al. (2013) pointed that against the whopping 50-70% inflation projected in food demand, around 868 million people are struggling with under nourishment all over the globe whereas approx. one third of global food production ends up as waste. As a developing nation still battling the devils of poverty, corruption and skewed income distribution, India has not been able to solve or manage the conundrum of food wastage over the years and each year witnesses tons of food going to garbage at various stages of production, supply and consumption. However, it is crucial to investigate and assess the causes and impact of food wastage in order to take steps towards reducing losses and wastage in the entire food production and consumption system. This paper endeavors to uncover the causes and cases of food wastage in Indian households and commercial enterprises. It also underlines the various stages of food production and delivery that contribute to wastage of food in various ways. The paper concludes with taking an account of various causes leading to food wastage in Indian scenario and suggestions on strategies to reduce the scale of food wastage India.