March 21, 2002

    Various studies undertaken from time to time have estimated the post-harvest losses of foodgrains in the range of 9.33% to 4.12%. However, exact quantification of losses of foodgrains at post-harvest stages at farm level is difficult.

    The scheme of Save Train Campaign (SGC) is in operation since 1969-70. The main thrust of activities of this scheme is at educating the farmers through training, demonstration and publicity in the field of scientific storage of foodgrains at farm level;

    Foodgrain stocks procured for the central pool are stored by various agencies on scientific lines. Necessary prophylactic and curative measures are undertaken to reduce losses/demage to stored foodgrains during storage;

    The Government has also announced a National Policy to promote bulk handling, storage and transportation of foodgrains through private sector participation on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. These steps will lead to modernize storage and reduce losses. The policy also envisages augmentation of conventional covered storage capacity through private sector participation.

    This information was given in the Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashok Pradhan in a written reply.