CHANDIGARH, Jun 2 : Haryana will create 20 lakh tonnes of additional grain storage capacity during the current year, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Tuesday.
Asking officials to make all necessary preparations to achieve this target, the chief minister stressed the need to ensure adequate storage infrastructure for food grains so that the produce cultivated through the hard work of farmers is protected from damage and post-harvest losses are minimised.
The Chief Minister issued these directions while chairing a review meeting of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department here, an official statement said.
During the meeting, Commissioner and Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, J Ganesan, informed that due to open storage and inadequate warehousing facilities, nearly 4 to 5 per cent of food grains produced in the state are lost every year.
He said that Haryana currently produces around 115 lakh tonnes of wheat, 71 lakh tonnes of rice, 110 lakh tonnes of fruits and vegetables, and 115 lakh tonnes of milk and dairy products annually.
Haryana contributes nearly 25 per cent to the country’s food grain security, yet the state’s existing storage capacity stands at only 66 lakh tonnes, which needs to be expanded to 130 lakh tonnes to meet future requirements, he said.
Taking serious note of post-harvest losses, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination and achieve the target of constructing 20 lakh tonnes of warehousing capacity on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode during the current year, ensuring that valuable food grains are safeguarded from deterioration, the statement said.
Saini further stated that the state government would implement a long-term strategy over the next five years to strengthen storage facilities for food grains, horticulture produce, fruits, and vegetables, thereby ensuring maximum utilization of agricultural output and minimizing wastage.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the integration of renewable energy with warehousing infrastructure.
He directed that solar panels be installed on the rooftops of warehouses and connected to the power grid to contribute to electricity generation. In addition, he called for pilot projects in mandis and warehouses to reduce manual handling of grain bags by labourers through the use of conveyor belts and other modern mechanised systems. (PTI )
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