Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 11 (HBTV): Amid claims circulating in some quarters regarding paddy losses due to shrinkage and pest damage during storage, the Government of Chhattisgarh has clarified that such losses are neither irregular nor indicative of mismanagement.
According to the Chhattisgarh CMO, moisture reduction during storage, known as ‘shrinkage’, is a natural and technically unavoidable physical process that has existed for decades across rice-producing states in India.
Official records show that shrinkage during the Kharif Marketing Year 2019-20 stood at 6.32 per cent, while in 2020-21 it was recorded at 4.17 per cent. These figures indicate that storage shrinkage is not a recent development or the result of any policy or administrative change, but an inherent characteristic of grain storage.
Paddy stored at procurement centres naturally loses weight due to changes in moisture levels, temperature, storage duration, transportation conditions and environmental exposure. Scientifically referred to as ‘moisture loss’ or ‘drying loss’, the process cannot be eliminated but can be measured and monitored, the CMO said.
For the Kharif Marketing Year 2024-25, estimated shrinkage is approximately 3.49 per cent, which is in line with historical averages and within normal scientific parameters. According to the CMO, the focus is not on the presence of shrinkage but on the strength of the monitoring system.
Under the current procurement framework, digital stock entries, weight verification, quality testing, warehouse tracking, transportation surveillance and lifting audits have been implemented across the state.
The CMO stated that shrinkage is now data-tracked, measured and accountable. Losses within scientifically acceptable limits are treated as normal, while losses exceeding expected parameters trigger investigation and accountability measures.
The government said the core objective of the procurement system remains unchanged — ensuring that every farmer receives full and fair payment for the grain delivered, while maintaining transparency and security in storage and handling.
According to the CMO, Chhattisgarh’s paddy procurement mechanism, built on digital token systems, online payments, stock traceability and grievance redressal platforms, is among the most monitored procurement systems in the country, strengthening farmer confidence and institutional accountability.
The CMO added that while shrinkage is a scientific reality of grain storage, it is now being managed with transparency, real-time monitoring and systemic control.
(ANI)