FDI in multi-brand retail will help farmers: Sharad Pawar

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that FDI inmulti-brand retail will cut down post-harvest losses to farmers and bring investmentin cold-chain facilities.

"Farmers will gain on at least two counts: significant reductionin post-harvest losses such as loss in transit (of produce) due tonon-refrigeration and air conditioning transportation system, and betterprices. Consumers will gain from lower prices, greater choice and higherquality," Mr Pawar told reporters here.

He said the policy decision will boost investment in cold-chainfacilities.

 "Post-harvest losses in the country are high. There are lossesin the entire supply chain from farm to market. Investment in cold chains isrequired. More investment to set up such facilities will come with the entry ofFDI. This will benefit both farmers and consumers," the agricultureminister said.

Mr Pawar is on two-day visit to Sangli and Kolhapur in the westernMaharashtra region.