(a) whether it is true that the Government has some proposals to increase the storage capacity for foodgrains and to create more multi-storied godowns and cold storage units in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is also true that the Government has devised appropriate technologies to protect the foodgrains and perishable foods/products stored in godowns and cold storages in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): In order to augment storage capacity and to modernize the storage facilities for foodgrains, the Government is implementing Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme, Storage & Godown Scheme, Construction of Steel Silos and Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) a sub scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM). Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), the Government is extending assistance for post harvest management which includes establishment of cold storages, staging cold room, pack house, pre-cooling units, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, reefer vans, primary/mobile processing units, integrated pack house and setting up of ripening chambers etc.
(c ) & (d): The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Food Corporation of India (FCI) & Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) have prescribed standard specifications for construction of foodgrain storage godowns. While taking up construction, the central agencies namely FCI & CWC and State Agencies follow the prescribed construction design for godowns in order to ensure that the foodgrains are protected from natural calamities like rain and flood. Similarly, only scientifically constructed godowns are hired from private parties.
Under MIDH, Cold Storages are being established with technical specifications/minimum standards circulated by Government of India.
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