New Delhi: Seeking to dispel the "misconception" that the government is incurring heavy losses due to lack of storage for foodgrains, Union Food Minister Sharad Yadav on October 13 said the buffer crop has been kept at 280 lakh tonnes which is enough to meet the country's requirements.

"As against 640 lakh tonnes of buffer stock in 2002, the buffer crop is kept down at 280 lakh tonnes and there is enough storage space for taking in the new arrivals," Yadav told reporters in New Delhi.

He said out of the storage capacity of 600 lakh tonnes, as much as 320 lakh tonnes capacity would be available for the Kharif foodgrains which is estimated at over 100 million tonnes.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would be shown a presentation on the storage facilities for foodgrains, Yadav said.

"The 280 lakh tonnes buffer crop is sufficient to meet the country's requirments," Yadav said.

In the wake of the expected bumper crop, the Food Corporation of India officials are visiting various states to ensure purchase and storage space, he said.

Yadav said the Centre is committed to ensuring that the farmers are not forced to sell their produce in distress and all efforts would be made to procure their produce.

Yadav said the problems of farmers of Orissa, Assam and other North Eastern States would be suitably addressed.

PTI