Rotting grains in the absence of proper storage are every year’s story captured by television media in the country but here comes the Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh who claims India has acquired the largest cold storage capacity in the world which is 32 million tones in the last two years.
Singh said that Government is working expeditiously for the storage of perishable agricultural products so that farmers may get better returns on their produce by adopting better market practices. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister stated this in a meeting of Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs in-charge State Ministers and other concerned Union Ministers today.
Nearly 250 projects comprising of more than one million capacities have been developed, Singh added.
Expounding on the subject Singh said that India has acquired the largest cold storages capacity in the world which is 32 million tones during the last two years. Nearly 250 projects comprising of more than one million capacities have been developed. Now, the horticulture sector has become the largest source of income within the agriculture sector. He further said that we have to ensure farmers expand their marketing approach for their perishable crops. For this purpose, cold storages and other related infrastructures would be our priorities, he said. .
The Minister added Prime Minister has launched National Agriculture Market Portal formally on 14th April, 2016 for 21 mandis of 8 states. Commercial parameters have been framed out for 25 agricultural commodities altogether and these are being given permission for online trade under the scheme.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that he has always focused his attention on maximizing production of food grains. He further said that we should not allow wastage of food grains to happen and should create awareness on this subject. This way, we will be able to reduce burden on ecological infrastructure by saving adequate food. He further added that Ministry of Food is specially driving a campaign entitled “Stop Food Wastage” in urban areas and big programs/groups.