Parliament Question: Annual Loss of Foodgrains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5435 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25Tll MARCH, 2026 ANNUAL LOSS OF FOODGRAINS 5435. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a): the details of the estimated annual loss of foodgrains due to storage constraints, improper handling or climatic factors; (b): the details of the steps taken by the Government to make storage infrastructure climateresilient, disaster-resistant and compliant with scientific norms; (c) : whether the Government plans to create buffer storage near consumption centres especially in Southern States like Tamil Nadu to reduce logistical delays; and (d) : if so, the long-term plan to ensure safe, modern and sufficient storage capacity to support the Public Distribution System (PDS), food security programmes and emergency buffer requirements? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) (a) : No loss of Central Pool Foodgrains stocks (wheat & rice) can be directly attributed to storage infrastructure, improper handing or climatic factor. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures stores & handles huge quantities offoodgrains, which are stored in a scientific manner. Only a very negligible quantity offoodgrains accrue as non issuable/damage mainly due to natural calamities like cyclone, flood, rain etc. During the year 2025-26 (as on 01.03.2026) a quantity of 0.022 lakh tonnes foodgrains accrue as damage in the godowns of FCI, which is 0.005% of total foodgrains quantity handled. (b): The Government is taking various steps to make storage infrastructure climate-resilient, disaster-resistant and compliant with scientific norms: (i) Construction of SILO under PPP Mode: Steel Silo storage with bulk handling facility is highly mechanized and modernized way of storing foodgrains in bulk. It ensures better preservation of foodgrains and enhances its shelf life. If food grains are stored in Silos and transported in bulk, lossesdue to theft, pilferage and transportation would be negligible compared to foodgrains storage in bags in conventional warehouses. Steel Silos are constructed under Public Private Partnership Mode. (ii) The SMART Warehouse pilot: DFPD is implementing smart warehouse project in 150 FCI’s owned and all CWC food grain warehouses. Smart warehouses are equipped with different loT sensors like smoke, fire, gate, C02, phosphine levels, humidity, rodent control. Smart warehouse ensures real-time visibility, timely intervention, data-driven decision-making & standardized operations across all depots contributing to ensure safe, secure, and efficient food grain storage and distribution. (iii) Depot Darpan portal has also been introduced in the step of Modernization and Digitalization of storage facilities in FCI. The Portal facilitates self-assessment, rating, and grading of FCI and CWC depots (owned and hired). (c): in the state of Tamil Nadu, Silo of 25000 MT capacity each at Chennai and Coimbatore has been constructed under Circuit model through Private sector participation on Build– own–Operate (DBFOO) basis. (d): Government continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are created/hired. The requirement of storage capacity depends upon the level of procurement, buffer norms and PDS operations. The Government is augmenting its storage capacity through following schemes: a. Private Entrepreneurs Gurantee (PEG) scheme b. Private Warehousing scheme (PWS) C. Creation of godown under Asset Monetization d Hiring of godown from CWC/SWCs/State Agencies e. Centre Sector scheme (CSS) f. Construction of Silos under PPP mode. IcqeSc RSc Sc