Marico Innovation Foundation and Samunnati Foundation Launch Pilot Project to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
04 February 2026, Varanasi: To address the critical challenge of post-harvest losses faced by fruit and vegetable farmers, Marico Innovation Foundation has conceptualised and designed a pilot project based on extensive field-level research and surveys. The project is being implemented on the ground in partnership with Samunnati Foundation.
Launched in the districts of Mirzapur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the initiative aims to significantly reduce wastage of fruits and vegetables while improving farmers’ incomes. Commencing in January 2026, the pilot represents an important step towards fostering innovation and promoting sustainable development in India’s agricultural sector.
Under the project, farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are being supported with modern, affordable and practical post-harvest management solutions. These interventions are expected to enhance produce quality, extend shelf life and enable farmers to realise better prices for their produce in the market.
The pilot is deploying a range of advanced and innovative technological solutions, including low-cost cold storage systems, smart monitoring solutions to prevent spoilage in crops such as onions, solar-powered cold storage units, automated grading and sorting technologies for accurate quality assessment, and innovative solutions that can convert regular rooms into functional cold storage facilities. In addition, specially designed crates that help keep fruits and vegetables fresh without the use of electricity are being introduced, supporting quality preservation during storage and transportation.
All technologies under the pilot are being tested with active participation from farmers to assess their effectiveness, practical applicability and economic viability in real-world conditions. The initiative is designed to strengthen local agricultural value chains and encourage sustainable post-harvest management practices.
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