New Delhi, Jun 4 (KNN) The National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) for an ambitious plan to create the world's largest decentralised grain storage network held its first meeting on Monday.

Chaired by Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, the committee reviewed the progress of a pilot project launched last year across 11 states to construct storage facilities and other agricultural infrastructure at the level of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS).

The grand plan envisages building warehouses, custom hiring centres, processing units and fair price shops at PACS premises by converging various existing government schemes like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme and others.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Bhutani noted this is one of the most ambitious initiatives undertaken by the government to create decentralised storage capacity through a nationwide rollout.

The pilot, implemented by agencies like NCDC, NABARD and FCI, is now being extended to 500 more PACS with support from state governments and construction bodies like NCCF and NBCC.

The committee discussed scaling up the plan across the country and linking the storage facilities with various stakeholders.

Several states and national cooperatives have already identified more PACS for developing the agricultural infrastructure.

(KNN Bureau)