Under the pilot phase of initiative, storage units with capacity of 9,750 metric tonnes have been successfully constructed at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in 11 states.
- Encouraged by success of the pilot phase, government has identified Over 500 additional PACS to enhance storage infrastructure at grassroots level.
About World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector
- Ministry: Ministry of Cooperation.
- Purpose: Establish decentralized storage facilities at PACS level, alongside other agricultural infrastructure, like, warehouses, processing units etc through convergence of existing schemes i.e., Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme etc.
- Implementing Agencies: National Cooperative Development Corporation, NABARD, Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation, etc.
- Benefits to PACS: PACS can avail subsidies & interest subvention benefits for construction of agri infrastructure.
Significance
- Food Security: Decentralized storage will reduce food grain wastage, enhancing national food security.
- In 2021, total Food Grain Production in India was 311 MMT & total storage Capacity is 145 MMT, signifying 47% shortfalls (2021).
- Access to credit: Farmers will be able to store their produce in godown constructed at PACS & avail bridge finance for next cycle of crop.
- Income Security: Enable farmers to store their produce & sell when better prices prevail in market, or sell to PACS at Minimum Support Price.
Other initiatives to strengthen storage capacity
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