Sustainable Supply Chains for Indian Cities
|Sustainable supply chains for Indian cities|
India has already high levels of urbanization, with 42 percent of people living in cities. These numbers are expected to increase further in the future. Because networks for the transportation of freight and goods are inadequately developed and maintained, fresh food is only available to the urban population at high prices and often suboptimal quality. Post-harvest losses for agricultural produce are high, especially for perishable products. The lack of sustainable supply chains for Indian cities thus also has effects on small-scale farmers, who cannot fully exploit the growing urban markets.
The “Sustainable supply chains for Indian cities” project works on a political and institutional level to provide advice on the process of developing innovative approaches and laws for the planning and implementation of sustainable supply chains for cities. The project targets the entire regional supply chain, from producer to consumer. It aims to use existing resources more efficiently and thus reducing the dependency on foreign imports. Primarily restricted to the state of Karnataka, project experiences and knowledge will later be expanded to other states and on a national level. One area of emphasis will be extending the supply chains for local food products. This includes providing support for farmers, improving marketing and increasing awareness on the role of gender, as well as advising public and private bus companies on opportunities for extending and improving the logistics for transport of agricultural products. Secondly, the project aims to establish management structures and social and health standards for traditional marketplaces and traders to increase their competitiveness in relation to international food supply chains.
Results to be achieved
- Increased access to fresh, regional food products
The population of the mega-cities Bangalore and Mysore, as well as smaller cities in the Chikmagalur district will have increased access to fresh, regional food products within a hygienic environment.
- Strengthening of “green” technologies and institutions
The cooperation between urban and rural regions will be deepened through a strengthening of green technologies and institutions.
- Eradicating hunger
Eradicating hunger that stems from inadequate logistics, distribution and storage of food products
- Reduction of food losses and food waste
The food waste for three specified, highly demanded and highly perishable goods will be reduced