What happened
The Ministry of Cooperation has reported progress on a cooperative-sector grain storage plan that seeks to build warehouses, custom hiring centres, primary processing units and other agri-infrastructure at Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) level. The plan uses convergence of multiple Government of India schemes, including Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME).
The stated policy intent is to reduce wastage and transportation costs, improve farmer prices, and meet local agricultural storage and processing needs at PACS level.
Background and earlier position
PACS already function as the grassroots cooperative layer in rural credit and allied services. The grain storage plan builds on that institutional network by adding storage and processing capacity close to the point of production and procurement.
The Ministry of Cooperation had first taken up a pilot, and the latest update shows completion of godown construction in 11 PACS across 11 States. The extended pilot then identified more than 600 PACS across the country for godown construction.
Related current affairs
- World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector: 1,015 PACS identified; 313 PACS completed for 1.80 LMT capacity
- Food Corporation of India storage under ‘world’s largest grain storage scheme’ in Punjab pending godown construction
- Initiatives since inception of Ministry of Cooperation: model bye-laws for PACS, White Revolution 2.0, tax relief and financial support (ethanol/EBS, GST on molasses, revival of sugar mills)
- Cooperative sector initiatives announced by Tamil Nadu (NEWS IN NUMBERS)
- Union Ministers on Digital Registration and Access for West Bengal Cooperatives via NCCF/NAFED Portals
- Model bye-laws for PACS circulated and adopted in Punjab; inclusivity for women and SC/ST membership