India Launches Ambitious Grain Storage Initiative
The Indian government has officially approved the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector,” marking a significant step towards enhancing agricultural infrastructure. Announced on May 31, 2023, this pilot project aims to establish various agricultural facilities at the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level, including storage godowns, custom hiring centers, and processing units. The initiative will utilize existing government schemes to bolster food security and reduce grain wastage across the country.
Project Overview and Implementation
The newly approved grain storage plan is set to be implemented as a pilot project, focusing on the construction of storage facilities in 11 PACS across different states. The project aims to create decentralized storage capacity to address the challenges of food grain wastage and enhance the overall food security of the nation. The government plans to achieve this through the convergence of various existing schemes, including the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI).
As part of the pilot project, construction of godowns has already been completed in 11 states, with a total storage capacity of 9,750 metric tons (MT). The initiative is expected to empower farmers by providing them with better access to storage facilities, thereby enabling them to secure better prices for their crops and prevent distress sales. The PACS will also function as procurement centers and Fair Price Shops (FPS), reducing transportation costs associated with food grain distribution.
State-wise Details of Completed Godowns
The pilot project has successfully established storage facilities in the following states:
– **Maharashtra**: Neripanglai Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha (3,000 MT)
– **Uttar Pradesh**: Bahudeshiya Prathamik Grameen Sahakari Samiti Limited, Kotwa Panday (1,500 MT)
– **Madhya Pradesh**: Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit Parswada (500 MT)
– **Gujarat**: The Chandranagar Group Seva Sahakari Mandli Limited (750 MT)
– **Tamil Nadu**: Silamarathupatti Primary Agriculture Credit Society (1,000 MT)
– **Rajasthan**: Ghumudwali Gram Seva Sahakari Samiti Limited (250 MT)
– **Telangana**: Primary Agriculture Credit Society Limited, Gambhiropet (500 MT)
– **Karnataka**: Primary Agriculture Cooperative Federation Limited, Ekamba (1,000 MT)
– **Tripura**: Khilpara Primary Agriculture Credit Society Limited (250 MT)
– **Assam**: 2 No. Pub Bongshar G.P.S.S Limited (500 MT)
– **Uttarakhand**: Bahudeshiya Kisan Seva Sahakari Samiti Limited, Sahaspur (500 MT)
The total capacity of these godowns amounts to 9,750 MT, significantly contributing to the decentralized storage capacity at the PACS level.
Future Plans and Expansion
In addition to the completed godowns, the government has laid foundation stones for 500 more PACS under the pilot project. A total of 575 PACS have been identified across various states and Union Territories for further development. The Ministry of Cooperation is also working on a broader plan to establish and strengthen 200,000 multipurpose PACS, dairy, and fishery cooperative societies to ensure coverage of all panchayats and villages nationwide. The initiative is guided by a Margdarshika (Standard Operating Procedure) that outlines the establishment of these PACS. As of now, 128 PACS have been formed in Karnataka, with a target of 218 PACS set for completion by the fiscal year 2028-29.
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