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Processing of fruits and vegetables is only 2% in India in comparison to 80% in USA and Malaysia , 78% in Philippines , 70% in France and Brazil , 40% in China and 30% in Thailand . The food and agro processing industry employed over 16% of total workforce in the organized manufacturing sector whereas it is 32% of the total workforce in the unorganized sector. In total, the industry employs 13 million people directly and 35 million people indirectly. An average Indian spends around 53% of his/her income on food. There are around 300 million upper middle class consumers for value added foods. Wastage of fruits, vegetables and grains in India is pegged at INR440 billion annually. Fruits and vegetables accounts for the largest portion in the wastage. India is the largest producer of milk, fruits, pulses, cashew nuts, coconuts and tea in world and accounts for 10% of...

Women comprise a significant share of the labor force engaged in agriculture as farm laborers, producers, distributors, marketers and agricultural entrepreneurs. In Latin America 20%, in Asia 30-60% and in Sub-Saharan Africa, 50-75% of the Agricultural labor force is supplied by women. However they do not enjoy the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts. It is estimated that women are responsible for 70% of actual farm work and constitute up to 60% of the farming population. In vegetable cultivation women contribute from seed sowing to marketing and post-harvest operation like their male counterparts. In many cases women force are better options than men like nursery raising, hand pollination of pointed gourd etc. Table shows the result of a study conducted in rural Rajasthan to quantify the contribution of women in several farm activities in India . Percentage contribution of farm women in several agricultural activities Farm Activities P...