Report of the expert committee on Storage Part I

Abstract

The Expert Committee on Storage, constituted by the Planning Commission of the Government of India in 1970, was tasked with reviewing and assessing the existing and proposed storage capacities for foodgrains, fertilizers, cotton, jute, sugar, and other essential agricultural products. The committee’s objectives included evaluating adequacy, suitability, utilization, and locational distribution of storage facilities, as well as forecasting future requirements in relation to production, market arrivals, consumption, imports, and inter-State movements. Special attention was given to integrating storage needs with transportation systems such as rail, road, and river networks. The committee established specialized groups to study storage designs, cost reduction measures, and farm-level storage, and undertook visits to state capitals, industrial centers, and institutions such as the Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation, and various state agencies. Data was collected through detailed questionnaires and interactions with state governments, ministries, and public and private sector organizations. The committee also considered cooperative storage, storage of jute, cotton, and sugar, and regional storage needs for individual states and union territories, resulting in a comprehensive framework for a master plan of storage to guide development during the Fourth Five-Year Plan. Recommendations emphasize optimizing utilization of existing and proposed storage facilities, coordination among central and state agencies, and preparation for the Fifth Plan, ensuring adequate storage infrastructure to support national food security, agricultural productivity, and commodity distribution.