Punjab stares at storage pangs ahead of wheat procurement

With wheat storage issues in Punjab becoming a pressing concern, the state faces a challenge in accommodating the upcoming harvest. Punjab's granaries are already overflowing with rice and wheat stocks from previous years, making it difficult to find space for new produce.

The state government is set to begin Punjab wheat procurement 2024 on April 1, with an estimated 120 lakh tonnes of wheat expected to be procured. Currently, 145 lakh tonnes of foodgrain are stored in state godowns. With an additional 115 lakh tonnes of freshly shelled rice is awaiting storage. Combined, these figures point to severe grain storage capacity problems, as Punjab's total storage capacity is only 174 lakh tonnes.

Punjab Faces Storage Issues Before Wheat Procurement Season

To address the shortage, the Centre has approved the construction of Covered Area Plinth (CAP) storage with a capacity of 35 lakh tonnes. CAP storage involves keeping foodgrain in the open, on raised platforms covered with tarpaulins. While this provides temporary relief, it highlights the challenges in grain storage during Punjab’s wheat procurement season.

At present, 110 lakh tonnes of rice occupy godowns. With the additional 115 lakh tonnes of shelled rice bringing the total to 225 lakh tonnes. Once Punjab wheat procurement 2024 adds 120 lakh tonnes of wheat to the mix, the wheat storage limitations impacting Punjab's agriculture will become even more pronounced.

Challenges in grain storage during Punjab’s wheat procurement

The state’s food and civil supplies department and procurement agencies—Pungrain, Punsup, State Warehousing Corporation, and Markfed—are working tirelessly to manage the glut. Last year’s paddy procurement season saw significant delays due to space constraints, causing a temporary glut in mandis. Experts highlight that rice, being more vulnerable to weather, is stored in covered godowns. Whereas wheat can be stored in the open.

A senior official from the food and civil supplies department remarked, "Foodgrain storage is a dynamic system. We move at least 6 to 7 lakh tonnes of paddy and 7 to 8 lakh tonnes of wheat out of the state every month." However, logistical factors beyond the control of state agencies continue to complicate the situation.

Wheat storage limitations impacting Punjab's agriculture

Punjab’s food grain storage includes 124 lakh tonnes managed by the FCI and 50 lakh tonnes by state agencies. With only 7 lakh tonnes stored in steel silos. The reliance on CAP storage and movement of grains to consumer states are temporary measures. However, the state needs long-term solutions to resolve its grain storage capacity problems and prevent wheat storage issues in Punjab from recurring.

The upcoming Punjab wheat procurement 2024 highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure. To further support the state’s agricultural backbone and address the wheat storage limitations impacting Punjab's agriculture.

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