India Needs More Warehouses Than More Production: NITI Aayog’s Ramesh Chand Calls for Urgent National Push in Scientific Storage

India Needs More Warehouses Than More Production: NITI Aayog’s Ramesh Chand Calls for Urgent National Push in Scientific Storage

India’s agricultural sector has witnessed an unprecedented surge in recent years, with the country now standing as the world’s second-largest producer of agri-commodities. This growth has been accompanied by a historic increase in foodgrain output, reaching a record 354 million tonnes in the 2024–25 fiscal year. While this expansion in production is a cause for celebration, it has also highlighted a critical infrastructure challenge: the need for more efficient and scientific storage solutions to support the nation’s agricultural boom.

Ramesh Chand, a senior economist at India’s National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), has recently called for an urgent national push to address this issue. In a series of policy recommendations, Chand emphasized the importance of investing in modern warehouses that can effectively store and preserve agricultural goods, ensuring their quality and availability throughout the year.

The current storage infrastructure in India is largely inadequate, with many facilities operating at suboptimal levels. This has led to significant losses due to spoilage, moisture, and pests, affecting both farmers and consumers. According to Chand, the existing storage capacity is insufficient to meet the growing demand, and the quality of many existing warehouses is poor. This not only results in financial losses but also undermines India’s position as a global agri-commodity exporter.

To address these challenges, Chand has proposed a comprehensive strategy that includes the construction of new warehouses, upgrading existing ones, and promoting the use of scientific storage techniques. He emphasized the need for a mix of public and private investments to achieve this goal. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could play a crucial role in scaling up the storage infrastructure, as they would allow for efficient use of resources and shared expertise.

In addition to infrastructure development, Chand highlighted the importance of adopting advanced storage technologies. This includes the use of electronic weighbridges, automated storage and retrieval systems, and climate-controlled warehouses. These technologies can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of the storage system, reducing spoilage and enhancing the quality of stored products.

Chand also stressed the need for better data management and monitoring systems. By leveraging technology, India can create a robust network of warehouses that are well-connected and efficiently managed. This would enable real-time tracking of inventory levels, demand forecasting, and better coordination between producers, storage facilities, and consumers.

Furthermore, Chand advocated for the establishment of a centralized warehouse management system. This would provide a unified platform for farmers, traders, and consumers to access information on available storage facilities, prices, and product quality. Such a system would help streamline the supply chain, reduce transaction costs, and improve market transparency.

In conclusion, while India’s agricultural production has reached new heights, the nation must not rest on its laurels. The current storage infrastructure is inadequate to support the growing agricultural output, and urgent action is needed to address this critical challenge. By investing in modern warehouses and adopting scientific storage techniques, India can ensure the efficient storage and preservation of its agri-commodities, safeguarding its position as a global leader in agriculture. The call for a national push in this area is a clear reminder that infrastructure development is as vital as production growth in shaping the future of India’s agricultural sector.