- Technology for SAFEETY was developed by the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER).
- SAMEER is an autonomous R&D institution under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- It features conveyorized loading & unloading of grain bags having RFID for traceability, online weight and moisture measurement with radio frequency-based removal of moisture from grain.
- Need for Scientific Food Grain Storage System
- Low production capacity: India accounts for 18% of the global population but only 11% of the arable land.
- Inadequate storage capacity: India's foodgrain storage capacity is only 145 MMT, covering 47% of the total production at 311 MMT.
- Food security: FCI has grains beyond its buffer capacity whichalso requires a robust network of foodgrain storage facilities.
- Economic viability of farming: Robust storage will reduce wastage, keep farm produce less volatile to market fluctuations and boost foodgrain exports.
- Initiatives for Scientific Food Grain Storage System
- “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector” approved to establish decentralized storage capacity at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies level.
- Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) scheme for construction/renovation of godowns/ warehouses in rural areas.
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund provides financing facilities for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.