Lok Sabha Question No. 5714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-06
Subject: Storage of Agricultural Produce
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

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

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH APRIL, 2022

## STORAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

## 5714. SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC be pleased to state:

- (a) whether post harvest storage of   agricultural produce is a big problem for the farmers in the country;
- (b) if the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard during the last three years; and
- (c) the effective steps taken by the Government to prevent damage of foodgrains due to natural calamities such as floods, drought and frost?

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

- (a) to (c): Horticulture Division of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for development of Horticulture in the country, under which financial assistance is provided for various horticulture activities including setting up of cold storages for perishable horticultural produce The component is demandlentrepreneur driven for which Government assistance in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy is available at the rate of 35 % of the project cost in general arcas and at the rate of 50 % of the project cost in Hilly and Scheduled areas:

Besides, National Horticulture Board (NHB) is implementing a scheme namely "Capital Investment Subsidy for Constructionl Expansionl Modernization of Cold Storages:

As per the study on SAII India Cold-chain Infrastructure Capacity (AICIC-2015)" conducted by NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS); reported the capacity of cold storages required at that time was 351.00 lakh MT against the existing capacity of 318.23 lakh MT in 2014. However, the present capacity of cold storages is 38.08 million MT in the country:

Further, with regard to Department of Food & PD, Food Corporation of India (FCI)  mainly stores Wheat & Rice after procurement for PDS operation and to maintain buffer stock: FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are createdlhired through the following schemes:

1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
3. Construction of Silo's under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS)
4. Hiring of godown from Central Warehousing Corporation (CWCs) State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs)State Agencies
5. Hiring of godown through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS)

Following godownslsilos capacities have been constructed in last 3 years and current year:

1. 8 Godowns having a capacity of 0.4870 LMT under Central Sector Scheme:
3. Godowns having a capacity of 3.56 LMT under Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme:
2. 9 silos having a capacity of 4.87 LMT under PPP mode.
4. In addition, Godowns are also hired from CWCISWC and under PWS Schemes as per the requirement:

The steps taken by the FCI to prevent dainage of foodgrains due to natural calamities and others are enumerated as Annexed:

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5714 FOR ANSWER ON 06.04.2022 IN THE LOK SABHA

## taken by FCI to prevent damage of foodgrains due to natural calamities and others: Steps

- AIl godowns are constructed as per specifications with elevated plinth and foodgrains are stored in scientifically built warehouses:
- 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) Regular periodic inspections of the stocks/godowns are undertaken by fied and trained staff: The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels. qualif
- The principle of "First in First Out" (FIFO) is followed so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns
- (vi) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains $0 as to avoid damage during transit:
- (vii) Damage   Monitoring set up at. District,  Regional  and Zonal  levels to regularly monitor quality of stocks and reduce damages. In case any negligence is reported suitable action is taken against officers officials found responsible.
- (viii) Identify & repair all the leakage point in the roof is done periodically.
- (ix) Cleaning of drainages in the godown premises ensured.
- Ensure no seepage inside the godowns.
- (xi) No clogging up of water in the premises
- (xii) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored insect pests are provided in all the godowns grain
- (xiii) Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides) and curative treatments (fumigation) are carried out regularly and timely in godowns for the control of stored insect pests. grain
- (xiv) Effective rat control measures are taken: