Parliament Question: Review of Foodgrain Storage Ecosystem

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2936 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH AUGUST, 2026 REVIEW OF FOODGRAIN STORAGE ECOSYSTEM 2936 DR. RAJKUMAR CHABBEWAL: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken a comprehensive review of the country’s foodgrain storage ecosystem including the existing Storage Policy and the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme; (b) if so, the details thereof including the major issues identified relating to regional storage imbalances, surplus stock management and optimisation of storage capacity; (c) whether the Government proposes to revise the existing storage norms and expand scientific storage infrastructure including modern silos and warehouses and if so, the details and timeline thereof (d) the details of the storage capacity available with the Food Corporation of India and other agencies along with the additional storage capacity proposed to be created during the next three years, State/UT-wise especially in the State of Punjab; and (e) the steps being taken by the Government to minimise post-harvest losses, improve operational efficiency and strengthen food security through a future-ready foodgrain storage framework? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BANIBHANIYA) (a) & (b): Yes. Government through Food Corporation of India (FCI) is continuously assessilng the storage gap, based on level of procurement, movement and Govt policies thereof. To fill the regional imbalances in storage, the capacities are created in deficit states by FCI and State Government. To overcome the evolving challenges in foodgrain management and the increasing volume of procurement, a Comprehensive New storage policy has been formulated and shared with the FCI & State Govt. Aspects for various mode of creation of storage capacity including PEG have been taken care in new Storage Policy. The policy also contains state-wise gap. (c) to (e): A comprehensive new storage policy has been recently formulated and circulated to FCI & State GovtThe FCI has a total storage capacity of 522.51 LMT for storage of foodgrains under the Central Pool [501.00 LMT Covered (Owned + Hired) + 21.51 LMT Covered & Plinth]. Further, the State/Union Territory agencies have also storage capacity of 466.19 LMT for storage of Central Pool foodgrains. State-wise details is attached as Annexure-1. As on date, the Storage Capacity of Punjab Region is as under :- FCI Owned Covered Capacity :- 27.38 LMT FCI Hired Covered Capacity :- 124.09 LMT FCI Owned CAP :- 3.37 LMT FCI Hired CAP :- 13.66 LMT SGAs Covered Capacity :- 30.85 LMT SGAs CAP Capacity :- 69.48 LMT The steps taken by Government to minimise post-harvest losses, improve operational efficiency and strengthen food security through a future-ready foodgrain storage framework is attached as Annexu re-II. In addition, following steps are also taken to improve operational efficiency and strengthen food securIty : (i). Silos-Scientific Storage of Foodgrains: To improve operational efficiency in storage of food grains with the participation of private sector, and to upgrade and modernize the storage facilities, Government of India has approved construction of Steel Silos for bulk storage of food grains across the country under PPP mode. Silo storage represents a highly mechanized and modern method of bulk foodgrains storage, ensuring superior preservation and enhanced shelf life. It requires only one-third of the land area compared to conventional storage methods, lowers transit and overhead costs such as those associated with gunny bags, reduces manpower requirements, and ensures consistent quality through scientific handling and storage practices. (ii). Smart Warehouse Project : Under this project, traditional depots are converted into smart warehouses which are equipped with different sensors like smoke sensors, fire sensors & gate opening sensor etc. for monitoring key parameters such as C02, phosphine levels, fire hazards, humidity, unauthorized entry and temperature on real time basis. 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: Government launched Depot Darpan Portal to enhance the monitoring, transparency and efficiency of food-grain storage depots & warehouses under PDS.Key features and purpose of Depot Darpan: a. Depot/warehouse managers assess the infrastructure of their depots through uploading geo- tagged data regarding infrastructure and operations. . b. Portal uses a composite scoring system, assessing depots on two broad categories: infrastructure and operational parameters. C. Based on the scores, depots are graded. d. Validation of data is built into the process via 100% supervisory officer verification. e. All the FCI's owned and hired warehouses are covered under Depot Darpan portal. (iv) Anna Chakra" Tool t' (a) “Anna Chakra” PDS Supply Chain Optimization Tool: Government has implemented “Anna Chakra” tool for PDS Supply Chain Optimization. The tool is designed to streamline the PDS supply chain, improving efficiency, cutting carbon emissions, and reducing overall costs while supporting 81 crore vulnerable citizens. Using state-specific algorithms, the system optimizes routes based on warehouse locations, storage capacities, and road distances. (b) " Anna Chakra’' Inter-state Route optimization tool : Inter-state movement optimization has been undertaken to streamline and enhance the interstate movement operations of foodgrains, primarily by rail, undertaken by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). These movements are planned to meet Public Distribution System (PDS) requirements in consuming states while simultaneously managing storage space in procuring or surplus regions. The daily planning and execution of these operations is carried out by FCI using the tool developed for this purpose. ##### r /'Annexure referred to in the reply to Part (c) to (e) of Unstarred Question No. 2936 in the Lok Sabha on 05.08.2026. Annexure-I Central Pool Storage Capacity with FCI and State Govt. Agencies as on 01.07.2026 (F'igtlres in LF\IT) Total Storage Capacity with FCI (Owned/Hired ) Total Total Storage Capacity with State Z S (Covered & CAP) ( eO d+wn A cg ae pn ac ci ie tics s in gc ivlu ed nin tog S FCW IC ) fs o r ( sc tr oc rlu nd gi tn ’ og f Grand Total 0 F foodgr iIi ns 0 Region/IF.T. Hired m ) Covered Tota Coy. 0 0 \ o ed \t n Hired Coy. CAP & CA Coy. o p 1 CAP P 1 BIHAR 10.58 0.00 0.00 1 4.02 0.00 14.02 10, 13 0 10.13 24.15 0,00 24.15 2 JHARKH AND 1.08 0.00 0.00 4.39 0.00 4.39 0 2.25 6.64 0.00 6.64 3 ORISSA 3.65 3.35 0.00 0.00 7.00 0.00 7.00 6,25 0 6.25 13.25 0.00 13.25 S 4 WEST BENGAI 9,53 0.00 0,00 11.75 0,00 11.75 9.66 0 9.66 21,41 0.00 21.41 T SIKKINI 0.11 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.00 0.11 0,11 0 0.11 0,00 0.22 Total East Zone 17.82 19.45 0.00 0.00 37.27 0.00 37.27 28.JO 0 m8 65.67 0.00 6 ASS.AXI 3 ,8+ 1 .59 0.00 0.00 5 42 0.00 0,00 0 0.00 5.42 0.00 ARUNACI IAL PD 0.4 1 0.G+ 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.45 0,00 0 0.00 0.45 0.00 N 8 NIE(;HALA\'A 0,00 0.00 0,47 0,00 0.47 0.00 0 0.00 0.47 0.00 0.47 E 9 RllZOltANI 0.00 0.00 0,32 0.00 0.32 0,41 0 0.4 1 0.73 0.00 0.73 10 TRIP UkA 0.44 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.00 0.62 0.G+ 0 0.64 1 ,27 0,00 1.27 11 NI,AN IP UR 0.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.65 0.00 0.65 0.00 0 0.00 0.65 0.00 12 1 NAGALAND 0.42 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.57 0,00 0.57 0.08 0 0.08 0.65 0.00 0.65 Total North East Zone 6.29 2.21 0.00 0.00 8.5 1 0.00 8.51 1.13 0 1.13 9.6+ 0.00 9.64 13 1 DELHI 0.00 0,00 0.00 0,00 3.28 0,00 0 0.00 0,00 3.28 I 8.75 60.3 1 1 .49 69.06 3.69 72.76 2 1 .48 65.93 113.51 25.17 1 iS. 69 I 0 27 0.74 000 0.00 1 ,01 0,00 1.01 0 0.00 1 ,01 0.00 1.01 N J 0.95 1.64 0.00 0.00 2.58 0.00 2.58 0.00 0 0.00 2 58 0.00 2.58 0 L 0, 13 0.00 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.38 0.00 o.till 0 . 38 0.00 o,38 R l 27, 19 124.00 3.37 13.66 151.19 17.03 168.22 25.59 88.30 1 76.78 79.74 2 so q2 T C nai 0 09 000 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.09 0,a) 0 o.OII 0 Ot) 0,00 0.09 H 2 8.42 20.3 S 0.40 0 36 2S 77 0 Th 29.53 0,00 0 0.00 28.77 0.76 L 15.48 50.26 o C h . 0.00 65.7+ 0.00 65.7+ 0.00 0 o.tIll m7 0.00 65.74 L 0.83 1.14 0 03 0.00 1 .97 0.03 2.oo 1,19 0 1.19 0.03 3.19 Total North Zone 65.4 1 258.67 6.01 15.50 324.08 21.51 345.59 71.23 84.19 155.42 395.31 105.70 50 1.0 1ANDHRA PRADESH 9.08 o.oo I o.oo 17.72 0.00 17.72 14.70 14.70 0.00 32.42 ANDNIAN NIKOB.\R 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.07 0.16 0.16 0.00 0.23 S 25 TELANGANA 6.68 16.40 0.00 0.00 23.08 0,00 23.08 8.00 0 8.00 0.00 31.08 0 26 KERALA 5.88 0.13 0.00 0.00 6.01 0.00 6.0 1 1.84 a 1.84 7.85 0.00 7.85 U 27 KARNATAKA 4,61 0.00 0.00 10.06 0.00 10.06 30.93 0 30.93 40.99 0,00 40.99 T 28 LAKSI{D\VEE P 0.03 0,00 0,00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.03 000 0 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.03 29 TAXIIL NADU 6_46 6.33 0.00 0.00 12,79 0.00 12.79 17.66 0 1 7.66 30.45 0.00 30.45 H 30 PUDDUCHERI 0,51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.5 1 0.00 0.5 1 0.00 0 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.51 Total Sotlth Zone 32.87 37.40 0.00 0.00 70.27 0.00 70.27 73.29 0 73.29 143.56 0.00 143.56 31 GUJ AR.\T 4.93 4.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.35 0,56 0 0.56 9.9 1 0.00 9.91 \V 32 DA DAR NAGA R 0,00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0,00 0.00 HAVELI E 33 b[AHARASI{TRA 9.23 9.82 0.00 0.00 1 9.05 0.00 19.05 6.98 0 6.98 0.00 26.03 S 34 GOr\ 0, 19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 0_00 0.19 0.00 0 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.19 T M ADHYA PRADESH 4.18 6.87 0.00 0.00 11.05 0.00 11.05 189.16 0 189. 16 200.21 0.00 200.2 1 CHHATTISGA RH 14,9 1 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.23 0 11.26 32.49 0.00 32.49 Total \Vest Zone 24.84 36.02 0.00 0.00 60.87 0.00 60.87 207.96 0.00 207.96 268.83 0.00 268.83 Grand Total 147.24 353.76 6.01 15.50 501 .00 21.51 522.51 382.00 84.19 466.19 883.00 105.70 988.70 ScR ScSeScAnnexure referred to in the reply to Part (c) to (e) ofUnstarred Question No. 2936 in the Lok Sabha on 05.08.2026. Annexu re-II Regular Steps being taken by FCI to preserve quality of procured foodgrains to avoid damage are: A. Scientific storage and preservation of stocks. (1) Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific code of storage practices. (ii) 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 covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control 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 well as in Covered and Plinth (CAP) storage are used. (vi) Regular periodic inspections of the stocks/godowns are undertaken by qualified and trained staff and senior officers. The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels. (vii) The principle of “First in First Out'’ (FIFO) is followed to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns. Besides stocks lying at vulnerable plinths and procured under relaxed specifications are issued on overriding priority to avoid any damage to stocks in storage. (viii) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit. (iX) While under movement , Polythene Sheets are spread on the floor of railway wagons to retrieve the spilled-over grains to avoid contamination to stocks. (X) Regular aeration of stocks is undertaken whether it is stored in CAP or covered Godowns (xi) Immediate action is taken to segregate & recondition of the stocks whenever it gets affected B. Capacjty Building for additional modern storaRe structure. Steel Silo bins are being constructed as a measure of modern capacity building which ensures better preservation of foodgrains and enhances its shelf life.C. Periodical maintenance of Scientific Storage structure. (i) Identifying & repairing of all the leakage points in the roof. (ii) Cleaning ofdrainages in the godown premises ensured. (iii)Ensuring that no seepage inside the godowns so that no clogging up of water occurs. (iv) Ensuring all the repairing works are attended on priority before the onset of monsoon season. The corrective measures taken by CWC to minimize post-procurement losses are as follows: (i) Surprise checks and squad inspections undertaken from Corporate Office to keep check on storage losses. (ii) Regional Managers closely monitor the centres which are giving higher storage loss in Rice & less gain in Wheat and carryout comparative study with adjoining centres. (iii)Regional Managers have been sensitized for arranging early investigation in the abnormal storage loss cases. (iv)Technical inspections reports are scrutinized with specific focus on authentication of moisture content through depositors and analysis of driage in moisture content undergone by stocks vis-a-vis storage period. (v) Random test weight of stacks has been incorporated in the Technical inspection to ascertain the accumulation of storage losses. (vi)Scientific storage practices, as per SOP, along with regular inspections and curative and preventive pest control measures, are being carried out to minimize post-procurement losses 8888+