Focuses on current corona virus outbreak and its consequences on food business in India

1. Post nCOVID2019 consequences in Indian Food business
- Abdul Rehman
Student, B Tech Food Technology
“As per latest update by worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries, the total cases of the disease rose to
2,27,761 with more than 9302 deaths”
India is basically an agrarian economy but as much as our living is concerned, we are largely dependent
on raw commodities and prefer cooking than buying processed food stuffs. This can be positive side
because we, Indians can easily manage basic three meals a day till agricultural produce and necessary
cooking requirement is available. The current situation if foreseen in developed nations, the situation is
horrible. Super markets are empty, Logistics and Supply Chain is affected leaving millions of people
indirectly affected. In lockdown, food processing plants are now longer working which can create a
serious impact of sustainability of individuals, particularly the middle class and under-privileged who
tends to live on fixed incomes with limited transportation options. Though the outbreak is existing in
critical stages with the passage of time surging the number infected patients, the limited circulation of
food and its supply can be stable as Central govt. has already assessed the national food reserve and
concluded it is sufficient to feed the people if adverse circumstances took place. However, food prices
could be subjected to increase which is evident in past calamities too. And, we cannot neglect the fact,
as longer the situation persists, the more stress will be exerted on the whole system resulting in food
stocks to decline considerably and higher inflation. The highly affected would be the weak and poorer
segment, who have less capacity to deal with prolonged negative effects on the current preventive
measures. Furthermore, if the situation continued to be like this, there is a risk that agricultural
production would be affected globally leaving worse impacts on food availability, prices and overall
food security. Forecasting to impact on food processing industries to assure:
• Availability of Milk with enhanced shelf life as in Tetrapacks, Powder form etc.
• Fruit & Vegetable supply to be regulated in city mandi (though not much of industrial concern
in Indian homes)
• Food supplements to be manufactured on large scale so that if condition of famine prevails,
these products can be distributed to fight against malnutrition
• Hygienic implementation throughout the facilities to prevent any kind of foodborne disease
• Research and development institutes must work on developing food products that can be grown
which can combat almost all nutritional requirements and also easily available to common
individuals.
On a concluding statement, it can be stated that the situation can be a nature’s reminder to stop
overexploiting the resources and switching ourselves back to think wisely the need of sustaining our
wellbeings.