Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that 1,015 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and cooperative societies have been identified under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector, with 313 godowns constructed so far across the country.
Replying to a question in the House, Shah said the initiative has created 1.80 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of decentralized storage capacity since its inception. Among the states, Andhra Pradesh has completed all 117 identified godowns, followed by Rajasthan with 121 godowns and Gujarat with 44.
The Minister clarified that the scheme does not provide direct financial assistance for godown construction.
Instead, it is implemented through the convergence of existing Central government schemes, including the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME).
Shah said decentralized village-level storage is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, curb distress sales by enabling farmers to store produce closer to their farms, lower transportation costs and improve price realization. The initiative will also strengthen agricultural supply chains and contribute to the country’s food security, he added
