1.5. National Policy on Handling, Storage and Transportation of Foodgrains

With a view to minimizing storage and transit losses and to introduce modern technology, the Government approved the National Policy on Handling, Storage and Transportation of Foodgrains in June 2000. Under this policy, integrated bulk handling, storage and transportation facilities to the tune of 5.5 lakh MTs at various locations were created through private sector participation on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis.

The main thrust of the policy is:

♤ declaration of foodgrains storage as infrastructure

♤ encouragement of mechanical harvesting, cleaning and drying at farm and market level

♤ transportation of grains from farm to silos by specially designed trucks

♤ construction of chain silos at receipt as well as distribution points

♤ encouraging private sector for building storage capacities in which grains procured by Government agencies would be stored on payment of storage charges

♤ encouraging private sector for development of infrastructure for the integrated bulk handling, storage and transportation of foodgrains.