Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute, Hapur

In order to develop facilities for Applied Research and Apex Level Training in the field of foodgrain storage and preservation, a Grain Storage Research and Training Centre was established at Hapur in 1958, which was later on expanded into Indian Grain Storage Institute (IGSI) with two field stations at Ludhiana and Bapatla (later shifted to Hyderabad) with the financial assistance from UNDP in 1968. Three field stations at Jabalpur, Jorhat, and Udaipur were subsequently established in 1981. In 1996, the IGSI was renamed as Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI). Field Stations at Jabalpur and Udaipur have however been closed w.e.f. October 2002. While the training, and research and development activities are undertaken by IGMRI, the work of popularising scientific methods of foodgrain storage developed by IGMRI among farming community is implemented through the Save Grain Campaign teams.

WASTAGE OF FOODGRAINS IN GODOWNS AND AT FRAM LEVEL

The losses in foodgrains during storage in the godowns of Central Storage agencies is about 0.5% . As per the Report of Dr. Panse Committee constituted by the Govenment of India in 1966, about 9.33% of foodgrains are lost during post harvest period at farm level due to insects, rodents, birds and moisture. Since such losses are mainly due to lack of necessary facilities and knowledge about the scientific storage of foodgrains, the Government launched a Scheme of Save Grain Campaign (SGC) to popularise the scientific methods of storage of foodgrains at farm level. Besides, Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI) at Hapur and its 5 field stations at Ludhiana, Jabalpur, Udaipur, Hyderabad and Jorhat have been set up to carry out research and development activities to minimise post-harvest losses at farm and commercial level. A sum of Rs. 10.76 crores has been proposed for the Post Harvest Operations Scheme during 1998-99.
This was stated by Shri Staya Pal Singh Yadav, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, in Rajya Sabha today in reply to a question by Smt. Urmilaben Chimanbhai Patel.