The Union Ministry on Wednesday approved a programme worth Rs 1 lakh crore for the increase in the storage capacity by 700 lakh tonnes in the cooperative sector. According to the statement by the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, the storage capacity stands at 1,450 lakh tonnes and now 700 lakh tonnes more will be added to this.#Cabinet approves Worlds Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector Until now, the total storage capacity stands at 1450 lakh tonne and now 700 lakh tonne storage capacity will be added in the cooperative sector: Union Minister @ianuragthakur#CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/YawnOSltPs— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 31, 2023 The storage capacity after this will be increased to 2,150 lakh tonnes over the time of next five years.According to Thakur, a 2,000-tonne capacity godown will be set up in each block of the proposed plan, calling it the “worlds largest foodgrain storage programme” in the cooperative sector.According to him, the initiative aims to lessen food grain deterioration caused by a shortage of storage facilities, assist in preventing farmer distress sales, lessen reliance on imports, and generate employment possibilities in rural India.More storage space, according to the ministry, will save farmers transportation expenses, and migration and improve food security. Notably, India currently produces about 3,100 lakh tonnes of foodgrains, but the existing godowns can store up to 47 percent of the capacity only.
