Hyderabad: Telangana is preparing a roadmap to introduce silo-based grain storage using modern technology. This aims to prevent crop losses and boost food security, Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Thursday.
Chairing a review meeting with officials from the Civil Supplies Department and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat, the minister said Telangana’s position as a leading paddy producer in the country makes scientific grain storage an urgent necessity.
State mulls modern silos to protect harvested crops
Reddy said the government was considering implementation of the silo model. This would ensure harvested paddy does not suffer damage. The model would use integrated cleaners and dryers to store grains like rice, maize, and soybean for up to two years. This is done without manual handling.
He noted that delays in milling due to direct transport of procured paddy to rice mills were leading to spoilage. He stressed that the absence of scientific storage methods at mill-level was a major factor behind recurring losses.
To address this, Reddy said the government intends to introduce modern silos that will dry and preserve grain immediately after procurement. “Removing moisture with dryers and storing grain scientifically will extend its shelf life. Aged rice also commands higher market prices,” he added.
Silo project expected to reduce losses and boost revenue
According to the minister, the annual delay between procurement and milling has resulted in a recurring ₹5,000 crore loss to the state. “Currently, the Centre procures only the milled rice, pushing the burden of paddy procurement onto the state. With silos in place, Telangana can reduce this loss. It can also potentially generate ₹1,000 crore in additional revenue,” he said.
Reddy said the Congress-led government’s reforms in the civil supplies sector were already showing national impact. He cited the free distribution of fine rice and the ₹500 bonus for Sanna (fine variety) rice. These policies had helped curb food inflation across the country.
The minister said the proposed silo system would further strengthen these reforms. It would prevent post-harvest losses and ensure long-term food and crop security.