Centre asks states to increase foodgrain storage capacity

Expressing concern over the crunch in foodgrain storage capacity, the Centre today asked states to take initiatives to ensure that the precious produce does not go waste.

"Though the public-private-partnership model is available with us for augmenting foodgrain storage capacity, states will also have to take initiatives and come forward," Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperation K V Thomas said here.

Thomas, who was talking to journalists on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Indo-Global Social Service Society, said that the country is trying to improve its overall storage capacity. The foodgrain storage capacity of the country's godowns currently stands at around 60 million tonnes.

"China has better storage capacity than ours. However, we are also trying to improve our facilities. Within the next three to five years, we would have enough storage capacity," he said.

Thomas, who visited various storage facilities during his trip to China, said that India has sought cooperation in this regard with that country, which has much-needed expertise in storing foodgrains.

China, one of the largest producers of foodgrains in the world, manages to store as much as 150 million tonnes of the agricultural produce in its godowns.

India's concern stems from the fact that its godowns are currently filled with 60 million tonnes of grains, and about 1.7 million tonnes of the produce is lying in the open in Punjab.