World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan:
The National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) for the world’s largest grain storage plan held its first meeting in Delhi.
- The plan aims to transform Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into Multi-Service Societies.
- The pilot project, implemented in 11 states, focuses on creating agricultural infrastructure at the PACS level, including warehouses and processing units, through various government schemes.
- The Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 districts to gather regional insights for nationwide implementation.
- An IMC will modify guidelines and implementation methodologies for creating infrastructure at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) using available schemes.
- The ministry will implement it through the National Cooperative Development Corporation with support from NABARD, FCI, and others
- The plan aims to address the agricultural storage infrastructure shortage and enable PACS to function as procurement centres, fair price shops, custom hiring centres, and processing units.
- It will reduce food grain wastage, enhance food security, prevent distress sales, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen PACS.
- The National Level Coordination Committee was formed within one week of approval. Implementation guidelines are issued within 15 days of approval.
- Portal for PACS linkage rolled out within 45 days of approval.
- Implementation starts within 45 days of approval.
- FCI is a nodal agency responsible for procurement, storage and movement of food grains, public distribution and maintenance of buffer stocks.
- FCI, set up under the Food Corporation’s Act 1964, works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- CWC established under Warehousing Corporations Act, 1962 for warehousing of agricultural produce and other notified commodities
