Operation Greens In a country where agriculture supports over half of the population, efficient value chains are crucial to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure fair prices for farmers. Recognizing this need, the Indian government launched Operation Greens—a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming India's agricultural logistics and processing landscape, starting with key perishable crops.

 

Operation Greens: Boosting India's Agri-Economy from Farm to Fork 

What is Operation Greens?

Operation Greens was first announced in the Union Budget of 2018–19, modeled on the success of Operation Flood (India’s White Revolution). With an initial outlay of ₹500 crore, the scheme aims to:

• Promote Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Develop robust agri-logistics networks

• Support creation of processing facilities

• Ensure professional management in the value chain

The goal is to stabilize the supply and price of key crops and prevent distress sales by farmers, especially during harvest season when supply gluts drive prices down.

Initial Focus: Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP)

Operation Greens initially targeted the development of the value chain for three essential crops—Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP)—crops known for their price volatility and high perishability. The idea was to:

• Improve cold storage and transportation

• Build infrastructure for processing and preservation

• Strengthen market linkages for farmers

• Reduce price fluctuations for consumers

Two-Pronged Approach: Short-Term and Long-Term Interventions

The scheme is structured around two key components:

1. Long-Term Interventions:

Integrated Value Chain Development Projects, including:

• Setting up FPOs

• Building infrastructure for storage, processing, and transport

• Training and capacity-building for stakeholders

• Encouraging private investment and PPP models

2. Short-Term Interventions:

Designed to immediately reduce post-harvest losses and control price volatility, particularly during bumper crops or supply disruptions. These include:

• Providing subsidy for transportation and storage

• Price stabilization measures during supply-demand imbalances

Expanded Scope During COVID-19: From TOP to TOTAL

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on agricultural supply chains, the government expanded the scope of Operation Greens on 15th May 2020 as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package.

What Changed?

• The short-term interventions were extended beyond TOP crops to include all fruits and vegetables.

• This wider coverage led to the evolution of the acronym from TOP to TOTAL (Tomato, Onion, Potato to All Fruits and Vegetables).

This change ensured price stabilization and support for a broader group of farmers during pandemic-induced market disruptions.

Union Budget 2021–22: Further Expansion to 22 Perishable Crops

In the Union Budget 2021–22, the scope of long-term interventions under Operation Greens was enlarged to 22 perishable crops, beyond just tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. These include:

• Banana

• Mango

• Apple

• Grapes

• Pineapple

• Pomegranate

• Papaya

• Lemon

• Guava

• Litchi

• and others...

This move aimed to diversify support, enhance food processing, and reduce wastage across a wider spectrum of perishable produce.

Key Benefits of Operation Greens

• Better price realization for farmers

• Reduced food wastage through better cold chains and storage

• Stabilized prices for consumers

• Employment generation in agri-logistics and food processing

• Private sector participation in infrastructure development

• Boost to export potential of perishable crops

Conclusion

Operation Greens represents a forward-thinking agricultural reform aimed at building a sustainable, efficient, and farmer-friendly value chain for perishables in India. From TOP to TOTAL and beyond, the scheme showcases the government's commitment to doubling farmers’ income, reducing post-harvest losses, and creating a resilient food system in the face of global challenges like the pandemic.

As India moves toward a more self-reliant agricultural sector, Operation Greens plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between farm and market—one crop at a time.

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