Lok Sabha Question No. 1268 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-14
Subject: Reduction in Wastage of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1268

## To BE ANSWERED ON 14TH DECEMBER, 2022

## REDUCTION IN WASTAGE OF FOODGRAINS

## 1268. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps to store, preserve and protect the foodgrains, pulses, fast perishable items etc-, in the country and also reduce annual wastage of foodgrains and farm produces due to lack of scientific and proper storing technology;
- (b) if the details thereof and the wastage of foodgrains and farm produce assessed in the last five years;
- whether the Government has invited scientific communities and expertize in building capacity storage facilities to reduce wastage of foodgrains during storage and transit; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated to Uttar Pradesh in the last five years in this regard?

ANSWE 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:
- (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 damagedlbecome non-issuable mainly due to Natural Calamities like CyclonelFlood/Rain, during transit, contamination and wagon roof leakage:

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

| Year    |   Quantity Handled (Offtake) (In Lakh MT) |   Damage accrued (in LMT) |   % of damaged foodgrains Wrt: 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): Yes SirThe 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 createdlhired:

The storage capacity enhancement in Uttar Pradesh was mainly undertaken through creation of Modern Steel Silos under Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode and Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme by attracting private investment or through SWCICWCs, wherein no capital expenditure is involved:

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1268 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 14.08.2022 IN LOK SABHA

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

- AIl godowns are constructed as per specifications-
- 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:
- (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.
- (iv) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns:
- (vi) Effective rat control measures are taken:
- (viii) Regular periodic inspections of the stockslgodowns are undertaken by qualified and trained staff and all The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels.
- (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 ropeslnets:
- (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:
- (xi) Identification & repair all the leakage point in the roof is done periodically:
- (x) covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit: Only
- (xii) Cleaning of drainages in the godown premises is ensured
- (xiii) Ensuring no seepage inside the godowns: