Good News for Farmers, Prime Minister Modi Launches World Largest Grain Storage Scheme

Information about the grain storage plan in the cooperative sector is very important. This plan is an important step for Indian agriculture, which plays a crucial role in global food security. In this article, we will delve into the details of the world's largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector. India has a total of arable land (138 crore hectares). And if 11% of it is utilized, it accounts for approximately (16 crore hectares) for cultivation. And the total population of the world (790 crore). If 18% of it is accounted for, it is approximately (140 crore). From this, it is evident that for India to fulfill the food needs of 18% of the world's population, it has only 11% of suitable land for cultivation.

Food Production and Storage:

According to the latest data from the FAO, India is a major food producer, but there is a significant shortage in food storage capacity. In 2021, total food production in India was 311 MMT, while currently, there is only storage for 145 MMT. This means that India has a shortage of 166 MMT in storage, which is a cause for concern.
Compared to other countries, there is a serious shortage in India's food storage capacity. While other countries have an average of 131% surplus storage, India has only 47% storage. These figures clearly indicate the need for improvement in India's food storage capacity.

World Largest Grain Storage Plan:

Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has recognized the importance of cooperative societies in bringing prosperity to the Indian economy. Under this initiative, the Ministry of Cooperation has launched the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan with the aim of enhancing storage capacity for Indian agricultural products on a large scale.
This plan aims to empower farmers, incorporating various agricultural-based structures such as godowns, custom hiring centers, processing units, and other diverse agricultural structures at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). The goal of this plan is to strengthen the agricultural infrastructure, reduce food wastage, strengthen the country's food security, and assist farmers in obtaining better prices for their produce. Efforts are being made through this plan to strengthen the agriculture sector.

PACS: Role and significance in India

1. PACS: play a crucial role in the Indian economy. With over 130 million farmer members, they are vital for agriculture and rural development.
2. PACS: Contribution to food security PACS not only strengthen the country's food security but also develop decentralized storage facilities along with agricultural infrastructure.
3. PACS: A means of economic developmentThrough PACS, not only is the country's food security strengthened, but they also provide a means for farmers to engage in dynamic economic organizations.

Plan for advancing the agricultural sector: Under the leadership of IMC, this committee will oversee the work of relevant ministries, keeping in mind budgets and objectives. Its main objective is to implement the "World's Largest Grain Storage Plan" under which assistance will be provided to Commercial Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) in the construction of warehouses for their agricultural and related purposes. This helps farmers improve their economic and social status.

Plan benefits:

1. Work as procurement centers for State Food Corporations/ Food Corporation of India (FCI).
2. Function as price determination (MSP) centers.
3. Establishment of custom hiring centers.
4. Formation of cooperative societies for grading, processing, and much more.

Reducing Food Wastage: This plan will help reduce food wastage. Through the establishment of warehouses and proper procurement centers, food wastage can be reduced, which will improve national food security.
Better prices for farmers: This plan will provide farmers with the opportunity to sell their produce in better and organized markets. This will result in better prices for farmers and strengthen their economic status.