Lok Sabha Question No. 2416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Proper Storing Technology
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: D. M. Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IUIIN|STRY  OF GONSUilER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOODAND PUBLTG DISTRTBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION NO.241 6 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 16rH MARGH,2022

## PROPER STORING TEGHNNOLOGY

## 2416. SHRI D.M. IKATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minaster of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIOX  scfrtrr  qrtr+,  crq  qt<  qrffi+ F-rrur  {* be pteased to state:

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

## ANSWER

iIINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLTC  DISTRIAUTION

(SADHVI  NIRANJAN JYOTI}

- (a): No wastage  of Gentral 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 Govemment to store preserve and protect the foodgrains  are enclosed  at annexure.

lnspite of all precautionary  measures a meagre quantity of foodgrains accrue as damaged/become  non-issuable mainly due to Natural Galamities like Gyclone/Flood/Rain,  during transit, contamination and wagon roof !eakage.

The details on the quantity of foodgrains (rice & wheat) which got damaged in godowns of Food Corporation  of lndia (FGl) during last five years are as unden

| Year     |   Quantity Handled (Offtake) (ln Lakh MT) | Damage accrued in FGI(Fig in LMT)   | 7" age of damaged foodgrains w.r.t quantity handled (offtake)   |
|----------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2fJ16-17 |                                   473.31  | o.09                                | o.o19                                                           |
| 2017-1A  |                                   452.16  | o.o27                               | o.oo6                                                           |
| 20{ 8-19 |                                   500.08  | 0.os                                | o.oro                                                           |
| 2019-20  |                                   455.126 | o.o2                                | o.oo4                                                           |
| 2020-21  |                                   688.57  | o.o2                                | 0.oo3                                                           |

- (c):  Yes Sir.
- (d) & (e) FG! continuously  assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment,  storage capacities are created/hired. Storage Gapacity  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.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 24{6 FOR ANSWER  ON {6.03.2022  IN LOK SABHA

## steps taken by the Govemment to prevent damage of foodgrains  are as unden

- (D All godowns are constructed as per specificataons.
- (i0 Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific code of storage practices.
- Adequate  dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats, polythene  sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains. (iii)
- Fumigation  coversr nyron ropes, nets and insecticides for contror of stored grain lnsect pests are providGd  in a[ the godowns. (iv)
- Prophylactic (spraying  of  insecticides)  and curative treatmehts (fumlgation)  are carried out regularly and tamety in godowns  for the control of stored grain  insect pests. (v)
- Effective  rat control  measures  are taken. (vi)
- Regular periodic inspections  of the stocks/godowns are undertaken by qualified  and trained staff and atl senior officers. The health of the foodgra:ns ls monitored at regular intervals  by a system of checks and super checks at different levels. (viii)
- Foodgrains  in  'Gover  and  printh'  (GAp)  storage are stored on erevated plinths  and wooden  crates are used as dunnage material. Stacks are properly  covered with specifica[y  fabricated row-density  brack porythene water -proof covers and tied with nylon ropes/nets. (vii)
- The principle  of  (First in First out" (FrFo) is foilowed to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage  of foodgrains in godowns. (ix)
- only covered rail wagons are used for movement  of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit. (x)
- ldentifo & repair all the leakage point in the roof is done periodically. (xi)
- Ensure no seepage inside the godowns. (xiii)
- Gleaning of drainages in the godown  premises  ensured. (xii)
- No clogging  up of water in the premases. (xiv)