Lok Sabha Question No. 2876 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Quality Storage Facilities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand, Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2876 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  AUGUST, 2022

## QUALITY STORAGE FACILITIES

2876.  SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND: SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will  the  Minister  of  CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION उपभोᲦा मामले , खा᳒ और सावᭅजिनक िवतरण मंᮢी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to store, preserve and  protect  the  foodgrains,  pulses,  fast  perishable  items,  etc.,  in  the country,  to  reduce  wastage  of  foodgrains  due  to  lack  of  scientific  and proper storing technology;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  quantum of wastage of foodgrains and farm produce assessed in the last five years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  invited  scientific  communities  and expertize  in  building  capacity  storage  facilities  to  reduce  wastage  of foodgrains during storage and transit and; if so, the details in this regard;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  quality  storage facilities and godowns in Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) the funds allocated in the last eight years for this purpose?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a):   No wastage of Central Pool Foodgrains stocks (wheat & rice) stored in  godowns  can  be  directly  attributed  to  lack  of  scientific  and  proper storing technology. However, in respect of fast perishable items, wastage is directly linked to lack of scientific & proper storage facilities.

(b):   Steps taken by the Government to store, preserve and protect the foodgrains are enclosed at annexure.

Inspite  of  all  precautionary  measures  a  meagre  quantity  of foodgrains  accrue  as  damaged/become  non-issuable  mainly  due  to Natural Calamities like Cyclone/Flood/Rain, during transit, contamination and wagon roof leakage.

The details on the quantity of foodgrains (rice & wheat) which got damaged in godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI) during last five years are as under:

| Year    |   Quantity Handled (Offtake) (In Lakh MT) |   Damage accrued (in LMT) |   % of damaged foodgrains w.r.t. quantity handled (offtake) |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2017-18 |                                    452.16 |                     0.027 |                                                       0.006 |
| 2018-19 |                                    500.08 |                     0.05  |                                                       0.01  |
| 2019-20 |                                    455.13 |                     0.02  |                                                       0.004 |
| 2020-21 |                                    688.57 |                     0.02  |                                                       0.003 |
| 2021-22 |                                    766.08 |                     0.017 |                                                       0.001 |

(c), (d) & (e): Yes  Sir.  The  storage  facilities  are  created  based  on scientific aspects to maintain the quality standards of foodgrains during storage  period.  FCI  continuously  assesses  and  monitors  the  storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are  created/hired.  Storage  capacity  enhancement  in  Tamil  Nadu  was mainly  undertaken  through  hiring  under  Private  Warehousing  Scheme (PWS) or by increasing stack height wherein no capital expenditure is involved.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2876 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 03.08.2022 IN LOK SABHA

## Steps taken by the Government to prevent damage of foodgrains are as under:

- (i)
- All godowns are constructed as per specifications.
- (ii) Foodgrains  are  stored  by  adopting  proper  scientific  code  of storage practices.
- (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.
- (iv) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns.
- (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.
- (vi) Effective rat control measures are taken.
- (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  lowdensity  black  polythene  water -proof  covers  and  tied with  nylon ropes/nets.
- (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.
- (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) Identify  &  repair  all  the  leakage  point  in  the  roof  is  done periodically.
- (xii) Cleaning of drainages in the godown premises is ensured.
- (xiii)
- Ensure no seepage inside the godowns is ensured.

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