Govt to encourage women SHGs to build, operate grain silos in Telangana

The Telangana government plans to add five lakh to 10 lakh metric tonnes of scientific grain storage capacity by involving women SHGs in building and operating modern silos. The move comes amid rising paddy cultivation, production and procurement across the State.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has proposed adding five lakh to 10 lakh metric tonnes of scientific grain storage capacity by involving women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in building and operating modern silos. The Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation has been asked to prepare a comprehensive plan for the proposed facilities, amid a rapid increase in paddy cultivation, production and procurement following improved irrigation and expansion of the cultivable area.

Unlike conventional godowns, the government is planning to build silos to meet the State’s long-term storage requirements in a controlled environment. The proposed network would incorporate automated handling, mechanised movement, digital monitoring and scientific protection against moisture and pests.

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During a review meeting, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to examine models under which women SHGs, village-level institutions and the Civil Supplies Corporation could participate in developing and managing the facilities. Their respective roles, financing arrangements and operational models should be clearly defined to ensure financial viability.

The State currently has storage facilities under the Civil Supplies Corporation, Telangana State Warehousing Corporation, Central Warehousing Corporation, Food Corporation of India, Agricultural Market Committees and private operators. The State Warehousing Corporation alone has about six lakh metric tonnes of capacity.

The Corporation is prepared to procure up to 90 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during this year’s Rabi season, with arrangements for about 12 lakh metric tonnes of immediate storage.