ICAR and FCI sign agreement to test alternative pest-control methods for stored grain
Testing Methods for Stored Grains
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have signed an agreement to research alternative fumigation methods for controlling pests in stored wheat and rice.
The agreement was signed on September 30, 2026, according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare announcement published on October 1.
ICAR’s Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology in Ludhiana will implement the two-year first phase, supported by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
Researchers will test three approaches: nitrogen treatment for wheat stored in metal silos; combined carbon dioxide and phosphine treatment for bagged wheat and rice in warehouses; and carbon dioxide treatment for grain bags enclosed in airtight covers.
The ministry said the project aims to address pest resistance, worker exposure, environmental impacts and fumigant residues associated with conventional treatments.
A subsequent one-year phase is planned across multiple locations and agro-climatic zones to develop region-specific operating procedures.
The agreement establishes a research programme. The announcement does not report completed trial results or a nationwide replacement of existing storage treatments.
