New Delhi: In order to implement the Food Security Law smoothly, the government should create ultra- modern foodgrain storage facilities - each with a million tonne capacity - at 50 locations across the country, noted agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan said on Thursday.
Outlining the challenges facing Indian agriculture, he also suggested that food losses and wastages should be eliminated or minimised at production as well as consumption levels to ensure food security for people.
Swaminathan said the government will require 64 million tonne foodgrain every year to fulfil the commitment under Food Security Law, recently passed by the Parliament, that provides for 5 kg of foodgrain per month per person to 67 per cent of the country`s population at Rs 1-3 per kg.
"There should be national grid of grain storage. In 50 different locations, including north-eastern region, develop ultra-modern storage with a capacity of one million tonnes each," Swaminathan said, while addressing Agriculture Leadership Summit organised by a magazine.
He noted that right to food can be implemented only with the help of farmers. "We have to turn our attention from files to farmers".
Stating that there is "no time to relax" as farm sector faces many challenges, Swaminathan said the post-harvest management has not kept pace with the increase in production.
He pointed out that one-third of global food production is lost or wasted and emphasised on the need to minimise or eliminate food losses at production level and reduce wastages at consumption stage.
Swaminathan also expressed concern over high degree of malnutrition both globally and India.
PTI
