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