Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh has successfully completed the pilot project under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector (WLGSP).
A 500 MT godown was constructed at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit Parswada in Balaghat. The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2024, and the facility has been hired by the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation.
Shah said the ambitious plan is being rolled out through convergence of major Central schemes including the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), SMAM, and PMFME. PACS benefit from interest subvention under AIF, extended loan repayment from 2+5 to 2+8 years, reduced margin money (20% to 10%), and higher subsidies, now 33.33%. Construction cost norms have also been substantially revised, along with additional subsidy for ancillary infrastructure.
He emphasized that decentralized storage at PACS level will curb post-harvest losses, cut transport costs, prevent distress sales, improve price realization for farmers, and strengthen national food security.
