Q1. Highlight the key components of upstream and downstream activities in food processing supply chain management with suitable examples.

Food Processing Supply Chain Management (SCM) involves managing the entire flow of food products from the farm to the consumer’s plate. This chain is broadly divided into “upstream” activities (all processes before manufacturing) and “downstream” activities (all processes after manufacturing).

Key Components:

1. Upstream Activities (From Farm to Factory):

These activities relate to the procurement of raw materials.

• Farming & Agronomy: Use of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and good agricultural practices (GAPs) to ensure raw material quality. Example: Contract farming of specific tomato varieties for ketchup.
• Procurement & Sourcing: Aggregating produce from farmers, often through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) or collection centres.
• Sorting, Grading & Pre-processing: Basic cleaning, sorting by size/quality, and (e.g., de-husking) to prepare material for transport.
• Storage & Transportation: Use of cold storage, warehouses, and refrigerated (reefer) vans to move raw materials to the processing unit while minimizing spoilage. Example: Storing apples in a Controlled Atmosphere (CA) store before sending them for juice processing.

2. Downstream Activities (From Factory to Fork):

These activities relate to processing, distribution, and sale.

• Processing & Manufacturing: The core activity where raw material is transformed. Example: Milling wheat into flour, or turning fruits into jams.
• Packaging & Labelling: Primary and secondary packaging to ensure food safety, extend shelf life, and provide nutritional information (as per FSSAI norms).
• Distribution & Logistics: Moving finished goods from the factory to distribution centres, wholesalers, and then to retailers.
• Marketing & Retail: Selling the product to the end consumer through various channels like supermarkets, e-commerce, or hotels (B2B/B2C).

Conclusion

An efficient food processing supply chain, supported by government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), is vital. It integrates upstream and downstream activities to reduce post-harvest losses, ensure value addition, and guarantee better returns for farmers.