New Delhi, India – In a significant move to bolster India’s agricultural infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world’s largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector on Saturday. The ambitious scheme aims to create a storage capacity of 700 lakh tonnes over the next five years, with a substantial investment of ₹1.25 lakh crore. The initiative envisions the construction of thousands of warehouses and godowns across the country, benefitting farmers and transforming the agricultural landscape.
As part of the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi unveiled 11 godowns established by 11 primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) spread across 11 states. Additionally, he laid the foundation for the development of godowns and other agricultural infrastructure in 500 more PACS. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a comprehensive project for the computerization of 18,000 PACS nationwide, marking a pivotal step toward modernizing agricultural practices.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi highlighted the historical neglect of storage infrastructure by previous governments, resulting in substantial losses for farmers. He underscored the government’s commitment to addressing this crucial issue through PACS and emphasized that the world’s largest food grain storage program would create a storage capacity of 700 lakh tonnes in the next five years, backed by an investment exceeding ₹1.25 lakh crore.
Farmers are expected to benefit significantly from this initiative as they will now have access to well-equipped godowns and warehouses, enabling them to store their produce, obtain institutional credit against it, and strategically sell their items when market prices are favorable.
PM Modi took the opportunity to critique past administrations for their lack of attention to this critical problem and commended the cooperative sector for spearheading the solution. He encouraged cooperative organizations to actively contribute to reducing the import dependence of essential food items, including edible oils, pulses, and fertilizers. Modi suggested that cooperatives compile a list of imported items and develop a strategic plan to enhance local production or manufacturing.
In his concluding remarks, PM Modi emphasized the need to reduce fuel imports and highlighted the government’s significant efforts in ethanol production. He urged cooperatives to play a pivotal role in realizing this vision and contributing to India’s self-reliance in key sectors.
The launch of this expansive grain storage scheme marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward agricultural modernization and self-sufficiency, showcasing the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.