New Delhi: The government of India has approved the proposal to set up a world-class grain storage plan on a pilot basis. The ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector’ will be implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with the support of various other organisations, a PIB press release stated.
The project aims to provide better storage facilities for farmers and enable them to better manage their crops. The new storage facilities will help in reducing post-harvest losses and provide better prices to the farmers. The government expects that this plan will also help in strengthening the food security of the country.
The plan envisions the creation of various agri infrastructure at the PACS level including warehouses, custom hiring center, processing units, Fortified prices shops, etc. It is being implemented in a decentralized manner by the NCDC with the support of NABARD, NABARD Consultancy Services, Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), etc. The estimated cost of building the necessary infrastructure varies from region to region depending on the topography, cost of labor, and other project components.
The creation of these storage facilities will provide farmers with various benefits including the ability to store their products in the godown constructed by the PACS and avail bridge finance for the next crop. The farmers will also be able to purchase various agricultural inputs and services at the Panchayat/ village level.