ICAR and FCI Sign MoU for Alternative Fumigation Research
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 September 2026 to undertake research on alternative fumigation technologies for safe and sustainable management of storage pests in wheat and rice. The initiative is supported by the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Research Background and Challenges
India's grain reserves have relied heavily on aluminium phosphide (ALP) and malathion for post-harvest pest control, but widespread use has led to severe consequences including pest resistance frequencies reaching 72-100% in key Indian states. The current chemical methods also pose significant respiratory threats to workers and long-term ecological risks, while escalating fumigation cycles drive up operational costs.
Phase-I Implementation and Trials
The two-year Phase-I project will be implemented by ICAR–Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) in Ludhiana and will conduct three major trials: nitrogen gas (>99%) fumigation for pest management in wheat stored in metal silos; combined carbon dioxide and phosphine gas fumigation for controlling storage pests in wheat and rice stored in bags at FCI/CWC warehouses; and carbon dioxide fumigation for managing storage pests in wheat and rice in bags enclosed in hermetic covers.
Future Expansion Plans
Following the two-year Phase-I pilot, Phase-II will expand into a one-year multi-location trial across varied agro-climatic zones to establish region-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The initiative aims to develop scientifically validated, scalable and sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical fumigation, addressing concerns related to increasing pest resistance, occupational exposure, environmental impacts and fumigant residues.
Signatories and Attendees
The MoU was signed by Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director of ICAR-CIPHET, and Dr. A.K. Sinha, Executive Director (Quality Control) of FCI. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. M. L Jat (Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR), Dr. Rajbir Singh (Deputy Director General, Agricultural Engineering), Dr. D.K. Yadav (Deputy Director General, Crop Science), Dr. K. Narsaiah (Assistant Director General, Processing Engineering), Ms. Priya Jacob (Director, DFPD), Sh. Rajagopal (General Manager QC-FCI), Dr. Devinder Dhingra (Principal Scientist, ICAR), Dr. Sandeep Mann (Principal Scientist and Lead Investigator of project, ICAR-CIPHET), Shri Gautam Kumar (Deputy General Manager, Quality Control, FCI), Sh CP Saharan and Ms. Sarika Pritam (Assistant General Manager, Quality Control, FCI).