Lok Sabha Question No. 2235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-29
Subject: Free Foodgrain not Reaching the Poor
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: GAURAV GOGOI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  November, 2016

## FREE FOODGRAIN NOT REACHING THE POOR

## 2235. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  report  regarding  "India wastes  more  food  than  UK  produces"  and  if  so,  whether  the  Union Government  has  conducted  any  latest  study  to  ascertain  the  exact quantum of foodgrains, pulses, vegetables and fruits which go waste every year due to various factors;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c) the  new  strategies  proposed  by  the  Government  to  check  such wastage of foodgrains, pulses, vegetables and fruits?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a)&(b) There have been posts on the internet stating that India wastes more food than the national output of countries such as Britain.

The Central Institute for Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET),  an  Institute  under  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR) has conducted a study in 2013-14 on 'Assessment of Quantitative Harvest  and  Post-Harvest  Losses  of  Major  Crops/Commodities  in  India' sponsored by Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

The  study  included  assessment  of  harvest  and  post  harvest losses  of  45  crops  and  livestock  produce  like  cereals,  pulses,  oilseeds, fruits,  vegetables,  plantation  crops,  spices,  fish,  eggs,  poultry  meat  and milk.  The  losses  have  been  assessed  in  farm  operations  (harvesting, collection, sorting, grading, drying, packaging and transport) and storage channels (farm, godown/cold storage, wholesaler, retailer and processing unit).

The salient findings of the study with regard to foodgrain, pulses, vegetable and fruits are as under:

- The  losses  in  cereals  were estimated  to be  in  the  range  of  4.65% (Maize)  to  5.99%  (Sorghum).  Harvesting,  threshing  and  storage  at
- farm and wholesaler level contributed more towards losses.
- The losses in pulses ranged from 6.36% (Pigeon Pea) to 8.41% (Chick Pea).  Harvesting,  threshing,  storage  at  farm  and  processing  units were identified as major contributors in total losses.
- For fruits, the losses ranged from 6.70% (Papaya) to 15.88% (Guava). Harvesting, sorting/grading, transportation, storage at wholesaler and retailer levels were the main operations and channels where losses were found to be high.
- The  losses  in  vegetables  varied  from  4.58%  (Tapioca)  to  12.44% (Tomato) owing to harvesting, sorting/grading, transportation, storage at wholesaler and retailers levels.
- (c):     Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been working on R&D activities towards the development of tools, machines and technologies  for  storage,  post  harvest  processing  and  value  addition  of agricultural commodities to minimize the losses.

The  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  is  providing  financial assistance under Central Sector Schemes for promotion and development of the food processing sector. These are (i) Scheme for Mega Food Parks (ii)  Scheme  for  Modern  Abattoirs  (iii)  Scheme  for  Integrated  Code  Chain and  Value  Addition  Infrastructure  (iv)  Scheme  for  Creation/Expansion  of Food Processing  and  Preservation  (v)  Scheme  for  Quality  Assurance  (vi)

Scheme for Human Resource and Institutions.

The Government also takes steps to avoid losses of Central Pool foodgrains in storage. Details are given in the Annexure.

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ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  NOVEMBER, 2016 IN LOK SABHA.

STEPS  TAKEN  BY  THE  GOVERNMENT AVOID THE DAMAGE OF  FOODGRAINS IN STORAGE

Before the commencement of Rabi and Kharif Marketing Seasons, Ministry of  Consumer  Affairs,  Food  &  Public  Distribution,  Department  of  Food  &  Public Distribution,  Govt.  of  India  issues  uniform  specifications  for  procurement  of foodgrains  for  the Central  Pool.  These  uniform  specifications  are  circulated  to F.C.I.  and  all  State  Govts./Agencies  with  instructions to  ensure that  foodgrains are procured strictly in accordance with the uniform specifications.

2. Foodgrains  procured  by  F.C.I.  and  State  Govts/Agencies  are  stored  in covered godowns as well as in CAP (cover and plinth).
3. During  storage,  the  following  steps  are  taken  for  safe  storage  and preservations of foodgrains:
3. (i) All godowns are constructed as per specifications.
4. (ii) Foodgrains  are  stored  by  adopting  proper  scientific  code  of  storage practices.
5. (iii) Adequate  dunnage  materials  such  as  wooden  crates,  bamboo  mats, polythene sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains.
6. (iv) Fumigation  covers,  nylon  ropes,  nets  and  insecticides  for  control  of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns.
7. (v) Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides) and curative treatments (fumigation)  are  carried  out  regularly  and  timely  in  godowns  for  the control of stored grain insect pests.
8. (vi) Effective rat control measures,  both  in covered  godowns  as  well  as  in CAP storage are used.
9. (vii) Foodgrains  in  'Cover  and  Plinth'  (CAP)  storage  are  stored  on  elevated plinths  and  wooden  crates  are  used  as  dunnage  material.  Stacks  are properly covered with specifically fabricated low-density black polythene water-proof covers and tied with nylon ropes/nets.
10. (viii) Regular  periodic  inspections  of  the  stocks/godowns  are  undertaken  by qualified  and  trained  staff  and  all  senior  officers.  The  health  of  the foodgrains  is monitored  at regular  intervals  by  a  system  of  checks  and super checks at different levels. Following Checks and Super checks are conducted  in  the  godowns  by  FCI  to  ensure  proper  preservation  of foodgrains in the storage.
- a) Fortnightly  inspection  of  stocks  on  100%  basis  by  Technical
12. Assistant.
- b) Monthly inspection by Manager(QC)
14. c)
15. Quarterly inspection by AGM(QC)
- d) Super Checks by Regional, Zonal and FCI Hqrs Squads.

(ix)The principle of 'First in First Out' (FIFO) is followed to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns.

- (x) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit.
- (xi) Damage  Monitoring  Cells  have  been  set  up  at  District,  Regional  and Zonal levels to regularly monitor quality of stocks and reduce damages.

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