The government has said that more than two thousand five hundred Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns are currently operational across various states for the storage of foodgrains.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Nimuben Bambhaniya, said this in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. She informed that FCI mainly procures paddy, rice and wheat for maintaining buffer and strategic reserve for the country to ensure food security.

The Minister said, as of November this year, the total storage capacity available with FCI is over 482 lakh metric tonnes. She informed that the government has taken various steps to modernise and expand storage infrastructure, including the promotion of scientific warehousing and private sector participation.

Mrs Bambhaniya said that the Department of Food and Public Distribution is in the process of converting 150 owned Depots of the Food Corporation of India to smart warehouses on a pilot basis.