Business of Agriculture March April 2019 Edition | Page 21

to the success of any warehousing operations and
for agri-warehouses where stored commodities are
highly susceptible to temperature and humidity related
damages most likely in the case of cold storages. The
optimal energy efficiency, air-quality control, etc. can
be maintained with the help of efficient warehousing
management techniques.
Amalgamation of Technology and Innovations:
Earlier, use of technology was neglected by the
warehousing industry which is still largely dominated
by unorganised players. These players mostly focused
on building warehouses rather than managing the
quantity and quality of the stocks stored in their
warehouses.
As per a FICCI study, post-harvest losses can be
brought down to merely 0.5 percent from the
present 10 percent with the deployment of scientific
processes to ensure proper supply chain management.
Through proper methodology and management of
warehouses, the risks involved with crop damage
can be depleted. Moreover, with constant monitoring
on a real-time basis, promptness to act in case of
crisis and risks can be ensured. With the advent
of technological innovations, the management
of warehouses can be done agnostic of climate,
infrastructure and location across any kind of
agriculture crop.
Future Horizons
With the
advent of
technological
innovations,
the
management
of warehouses
can be done
agnostic
of climate,
infrastructure
and location
across any
kind of
agriculture
crop
Going forward, technology will play the role of the
key enabler in the growth of this sector. India has just
awakened to the tremendous potential of technology-
driven innovation in the burgeoning sector. There
are very few integrated service providers which are
receptive to the fact that technology can help them
reduce costs and improve efficiency in their businesses
and the overall market.
| March-April 2019 • Vol. V • Issue 2 21
Despite the significant increase in production of
food-grains and other agri-produce in the recent
past, there are formidable challenges that the sector
is facing. The thrust areas to boost the sector should
be increasing investment through public-private
partnerships in research and technology transfer
which can make it more accountable towards delivery,
improved value chain including storage, transport,
processing and market facilities. Constant innovation
can help to improve productivity and competitiveness
whereas enabling policies that are necessary to bring
knowledge, technologies and service to farmers is
much required.
While the Indian population is broadly food secure at
present, India needs to ensure that no food is wasted
to ensure food security in the long term. Towards this,
a sustained campaign is required to introduce scientific
warehousing processes to make entire supply chain
smooth, transparent and mobile to ensure quality,
timely delivery, right price and minimal losses.
* SLCM Group is the brainchild of Mr Sandeep Sabharwal
who has been instrumental in establishing it as one of
the leading companies in post-harvest management
services. He is a veteran with diversified and rich
experience of more than three decades in the various
aspects of the agriculture sector. He has been at the
forefront of advocating policy change in this sector with
the Government & relevant Industry Chambers.
Business of Agriculture