Page 8 - NIS English 16-31 May, 2026

FLAGSHIP | Grain Storage Scheme

ood Security
ood Security
Ensuring Food Security
Ensuring F
Ensuring F

Launched to meet the growing food grain requirements of the nation and the world,
the world’s largest cooperative grain storage scheme has not only benefited farmers
but has also strengthened the country’s economy. Since receiving Cabinet approval on
May 31, 2023, and being inaugurated by the Prime Minister on February 24, 2024, a
significant increase in farmers’ incomes has become possible.

hrough the world’s largest grain storage scheme The plan also utilises NABARD’s
in the cooperative sector, efforts are being made special refinance scheme to significantly
Tto fulfil essential agricultural requirements at the
PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) level. This reduce the financial burden on
is not only ensuring the country’s food security but participating cooperatives. When combined
is also leading to a reduction in food grain wastage. with the 3% interest subvention available
Furthermore, farmers are receiving better prices for
their produce. Launched as a pilot project, this scheme under the AIF, the effective loan interest
is being coordinated by an inter-ministerial committee, rate for PACS is reduced to 1% under the
a national-level coordination committee, a state-level World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan.
cooperative development committee, and a district-lev-
el cooperative development committee. To address
the shortage of food grain storage capacity within the
country and to build agricultural infrastructure, the utilising funds from the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
central government had approved the ‘World’s Largest (AIF), the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme
Grain Storage Scheme in the Cooperative Sector’. Under (AMI), the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation
this scheme, various agricultural infrastructure facilities, (SMAM), and the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro
including warehouses, custom hiring centres, process- Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
ing units, and Fair Price Shops, are being constructed Under the AIF Scheme, the benefit of interest subven-
at the level of PACS and other cooperative societies, tion is given to the PACS against the loan taken for the

6 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || May 16-31, 2026