Lok Sabha Question No. 2419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-03
Subject: Storing of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRTBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION NO, 24{9

## TO BE A]{SWERED ON 3RD AUGUST,  2O2l

## STORING OF FOODGRAINS

## 24I9. DR. T. SUMIATHY  (A) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the l,linister of  GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTR|BUTIoN  srreiffiT err*, urc-u sit{  grdsfrd,  fuiltoI i'# be pteased  to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken adequate steps to store, preserve and protect the food grains, pulsesr fast perishable items etc.r in the country and also to reduce annua! wastage of food grains and farm produces due to lack of scientific  and proper storing technology;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the wastage of food grains and farm produce assessed in the last five years;
- (c) whether the Government has invited scientific communities  and expertise  in buitding  capacity storage  facilities to reduce wastage of food grains during storage and transit; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof  and the funds allocated  in the last five years in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): No wastage of central pool foodgrain stocks (wheat & rice) stored in godowns  can be directty attributed  to lack of scaentific 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 atl precautionary  measures a meagre quantity of foodgrains accrue as damaged/become  non-issuable  mainly due to atural Galamities like Gyclone/Ftood/Rain,  during transit, contamination  and wagon roof leakage.

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

| Year      | Quantity Handled(Offtake) (ln Lakh MT)   | Damage accrued in Fc!(Fig in LMT)   | o/o age of damaged foodgrains w.r.t quantity handled (offtake)   |
|-----------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2016-17   | 473,31                                   | o.09                                | o.ot9                                                            |
| 2,J17-18  | 452.16                                   | o.o27                               | o.o06                                                            |
| 20{ 8-{ 9 | 500.o8                                   | o.o5                                | o.o10                                                            |
| 2019-20   | 455.126                                  | o.o2                                | o,o04                                                            |
| 2020-21   | 688.57                                   | o.o2                                | 0.oo3                                                            |

The Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering  and Technology (GIPHET) has conducted two  studies in  2OO5-O7 and Z0ig-l4 on KAssessment  of Quantitative  Haryest and Posl-Harvest  Losses of Major Cropdcommodities  in lndidr. As perthe study report (2O{3-{4), the harvest and post-harvest  losses of maior food grains & oil seeds ranged from 3.O8 to aboul lOo/o, fruits from 6.7OYo to 15.88% and vegetables 4.58  o/o  to 12.44o/o respectively.

Under Mission for Integrated Development of Hoiliculture  (MIDH) financial  assistance is provided  for creation of Post-harvest  Management (PHM) infrastructure  for perishable  horticulture produce  including setting up of cold storage facilities. The component is demand/entrepreneur  driven for which Government assistance in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy is available at the rate ol 35o/o of the eligible proiect cost in general areas and at the rate of 50% of the eligible proiect cost in hilly and scheduled areas through respective State Horticulture Mission.

- (c): Yes Sir.

(d): The Gentral lnstitute of Post Harvest Engineering  and Technotogy (GIPHET) provides demonstrations  and hands on trainings to farmers, entrepreneurs  and self-help groups engaged in agriculture and other related activities  to create awareness  of post-harvest  technology.  Many storage technologies were Iicensed  to farmers at nominal cost. Gentral lnstitute  of Agricultural  Engineering, Bhopal has also conducted training programmes related to Advanced Storageff 6nsportation  Techniques for agro produce for different stakeholders.

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO IN REPLY TO PAR.T (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTIOiI NO. 24,9 DUE FOR ANSWER  ON O3.O8.2O21 IN LoK SABHA.

## sTEps TAKEN tBy THE GOVERNMENT TO STORE, PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE PROCURED FOODGRAINS  TO AVOID DAMAGE  ARE

## A. Periodical  maintenance of scientific  storage  structure.

Dedicated Engineering  wing of FGI is carrying out periodical maintenance  of all storage  structures.

- a) ldentifyring & repairing  of all the leakage  points in the roof.
- b) Gleaning  of drainages  in the godown premises  ensured.
- c) Ensuring that no seepage inside the godowns so that no clogging up of u,ater.
- d) Ensuring  all the repairing  works are attended on priority beforc the onset of monsoon  season.
- B. Capacity building for additional  modern storage structure.

Steel Silo bins are being constructed as a measure of modern capacity building which ensures.better preservation  of foodgrains and enhances its shelf Iife.

## G. Scientific  storage and preservation  of stocks.

- (i) Foodgrains are stored by adopting praper  scientific code of storage  practices.
- (iD  Adequate dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bambco mats, polt/thene sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains.
- (aiD Fumigation  covers,  nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for controt of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns.
- (iv)  Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides)  and curative treatments (fumigation)  are carried out regularly  and timely in godowns for the control  of stored grain  insect pests.
- (v) Effective rat control measures, both in covered godowns as we as in Govered and Plinth"(GAP) storage are used.

- (vi)  Regular periodic inspections of the stocks/godownsare undertaken by qualified  and trained staff and senior officers. The health ot the foodgrains as monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different  levels. Foltowing Ghecks and Super checks are conducted in the godowns  by FGI to ensure proper preservatlon of foodgrains  in the storage.
- a) Fortnightly  anspection  of stocks on {OOo/o basis by Technicat Assistant.
- b) Monthly inspection by Manage(QG)
- c) Quarterly  inspection by AGM(AC)
- d) Super Ghecks by Regional, Zonal and FCI Hqrs Squads.
- (vii) The princlple  of  ..First  in First Outt, (FIFO) is followed  to the extent possibte  so as to avoid tonger storage of foodgrains  ln godowns. Besides stocks lying at vulnerable plinths and procured under relaxed specifications  are issued on oyeriding priority to avoid any damage to stocks in storage.
- (viii) Only covered rail wagons  arc used for movement  of foodgralns  so as to avoid damage during trcnsit.
- (ix)  While movement Polythene Sheets are spread on the floor of railway wagons to  retrieve the spilled-over grains to  avoid contamination to stocks.
- (x) Damage Monitoring  Gells have been set up at District, Regional and Zonal levels to regularly monitor quality of stocks and reduce damages. Each case of damage is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary  action, wherever required, ls invariably  taken against the delinquents.
- (xi)  Immediate action to  segregate &  recondition  of the stocks whenever it gets affected.