CWC MD Santosh Sinha Pushes for a Single‑Window Agri‑Export Solution From Farm Gate to Global Markets

New Delhi – A lively stakeholder consultation organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with the Central Warehousing Corporation turned the spotlight on India’s agri‑export logistics. The gathering, titled “From Farm Gate to Global Markets: Developing Integrated Logistics Solutions for India’s Agri‑Exporters”, brought together government officials, exporters, logistics providers and industry experts.

Speaking first, Mr Santosh Sinha, Managing Director of CWC, stressed how urgent it is to beef up the country’s agri‑export infrastructure. He reminded the audience that CWC started back in 1957 with just seven warehouses meant to rescue distressed farmers, and today the corporation runs more than 950 warehouses across the nation.

India, he pointed out, produces roughly 360 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables each year. Yet, because of weak storage, limited cold‑chain facilities and logistical bottlenecks, about a quarter to a third of that harvest never reaches the market. “If we can plug those gaps, we not only protect farmers’ incomes but also make Indian produce more competitive abroad,” Sinha said.

To that end, CWC is ready to roll out a single‑window solution that bundles storage, cold‑chain, quality control, phytosanitary certification and export logistics under one roof. The corporation boasts technical know‑how to issue internationally recognised phytosanitary certificates, a step that can dramatically lower the risk of consignment rejections at foreign ports.

On the cold‑chain front, CWC is collaborating with IIT Delhi to design cost‑effective, commodity‑specific refrigeration units. Meanwhile, digital tools and AI‑driven container‑tracking systems are being piloted at key facilities, promising real‑time visibility for exporters.

Because CWC’s network stretches to major ports, inland container depots and container freight stations, Sinha argued that the agency is uniquely positioned to coordinate road, rail, air and coastal transport – essentially delivering a seamless door‑to‑door service for agri‑exporters.

Other speakers added their perspectives. Mr Akhilesh Gupta from the FSSAI laid out the regulatory maze that food exporters must navigate, underscoring the need for risk‑based inspections and clear compliance guidelines. Dr Pradeep Multani, Chairman‑Emeritus of Multani Pharmaceuticals, called for a shift beyond plain warehousing toward value‑added centres that can sort, grade, package, label and test produce, all backed by robust digital traceability.

Mr Pawan Kumar, Group General Manager of CWC, reiterated that integration across procurement, quality control, assaying, storage and certification can slash logistics costs and boost export efficiency. Dr Nasir Jamal of PHDCCI reminded everyone that today’s warehousing can no longer be just a storage pit; it must evolve into an integrated ecosystem that brings together government agencies, logistics firms and exporters.

The discussion also touched on practical challenges – from quarantine and pest‑control issues to the need for stronger farm‑to‑port linkages and specialised cold‑chain infrastructure. Consensus emerged around the idea that digital traceability, coordinated regulatory mechanisms and a single‑window logistics framework are the keys to reducing post‑harvest loss and positioning India as a reliable global supplier of agricultural and processed foods.