Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Cooperation addresses a query regarding the 'World's Largest Grain Storage Plan' in the cooperative sector, its pilot project status with a completion target of December 2026. The plan involves the formation and computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) nationwide. As of June 30, 2025, significant progress has been made in registering new cooperatives and onboarding existing PACS onto a national software platform.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **World's Largest Grain Storage Plan:**
* Approved on May 31, 2023, as a pilot project to create agri infrastructure at PACS level.
* Involves constructing godowns, custom hiring centers, processing units, and Fair Price Shops.
* Convergence of schemes: AIF, AMI, SMAM, and PMFME.
* Godowns constructed in 11 PACS across 11 states under the pilot project.
* Target: Construction of godowns in 500+ PACS by December 2026.
* **Formation of New PACS:**
* Plan to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives covering all panchayats/villages in five years.
* Supported by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB, and State/UT Governments.
* Margadarshika launched on September 19, 2024, for implementation.
* 22,933 new cooperatives registered since February 15, 2023, including 5,937 MPACS (as of June 30, 2025).
* **Computerization of PACS:**
* Project approved with a financial outlay of ₹2925.39 Crore.
* Involves bringing all functional PACS onto a common ERP-based national software.
* Linking PACS with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs.
* 73,492 PACS from 31 States/UTs sanctioned under the project.
* 59,920 PACS onboarded on ERP software; hardware procured by 30 States/UTs.
* Karnataka: 5,628 PACS sanctioned, 3,765 onboarded on ERP, and hardware delivered to 5,491 PACS.
Impact Analysis:
* **Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS):**
* *Impact:* Access to improved infrastructure, technology, and financial support. Increased efficiency and transparency in operations.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the computerization project, adopt the ERP software, and utilize the new infrastructure for grain storage and processing.
* **Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced access to storage facilities, fair price shops, and custom hiring centers. Improved post-harvest management and reduced losses.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the services provided by the upgraded PACS for storage, processing, and marketing of their produce.
* **State Governments/UTs:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for facilitating the implementation of the grain storage plan and computerization project within their respective regions.
* *Action Required:* Collaborate with NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB to establish new cooperatives. Ensure timely procurement and delivery of hardware for PACS computerization.
* **NABARD, NDDB, NFDB:**
* *Impact:* Key supporting organizations responsible for providing financial and technical assistance for the formation and strengthening of PACS.
* *Action Required:* Provide necessary support and guidance to State Governments/UTs for the effective implementation of the plan. Monitor progress and ensure adherence to timelines.
Key Entities Referenced
World's Largest Grain Storage Plan: A government initiative to create a large-scale grain storage infrastructure in the cooperative sector.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS): Grassroots level cooperative credit institutions that provide agricultural credit and other services to farmers.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A scheme of the Government of India to improve agriculture infrastructure.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): An apex development finance institution in India.
National Cooperative Database: Database maintained for the cooperative societies in India.
December 2026: Timeline for completion of godown construction under the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan.
Karnataka: A state in India where the computerization of PACS project is being implemented.
SHRI AMIT SHAH: The Minister of Cooperation in the Government of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 237
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22nd JULY, 2025
World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative
237. Shri Basavaraj Bommai:
Will the Minister of Cooperation (सहका(cid:303)रता मं(cid:361)ी) be pleased to state:
(a) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government to have a 'World's
Largest Grain Storage Plan' in the cooperative sector;
(b) if so, the details along with the present status thereof and the timeline of completion of
this pilot project;
(c) the number and details of the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACs)
identified/being formed by the Government, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps for the computerization of all Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise particularly in the State of Karnataka and if not, the
reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION
सहका(cid:303)रता मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI AMIT SHAH)
(a) to (b): Yes, Sir. Government on 31.05.2023, has approved the “World’s Largest Grain
Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”, and it has been rolled out as a Pilot Project. The Plan
entails creation of various agri infrastructure at PACS level, including godowns, custom hiring
centers, processing units, Fair Price Shops, etc. through convergence of various existing
schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF),
Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural
Mechanization (SMAM), Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises
Scheme (PMFME), etc.
Under the Pilot Project of the Plan, construction of godowns has been completed in 11 PACS
of 11 States. The State-wise details of the same are attached at Annexure-I. Further, more than
500 PACS have been identified for construction of godown under the project and efforts are
being made to complete the construction by December 2026.
(c): The Government of India has approved the plan to establish new multipurpose
PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives, aiming to cover all panchayats and villages in the country
over a period of five years. This initiative is supported by NABARD, NDDB, NFDB and
State/UT Governments. For effective implementation of the initiative, ‘Margadarshika’ hasbeen launched on 19.9.2024, indicating the targets and timelines for stakeholders. As per
National Cooperative Database, a total of 22,933 new multipurpose PACS, Dairy and Fishery
Cooperative Societies have been registered as on 30.06.2025 across the country since the
approval of the plan on 15.2.2023 including 5,937 M-PACS. The State-wise details of M-PACS
formed since the approval of this plan are attached at Annexure-II.
(d) to (e): In order to strengthen PACS, project for Computerization of functional PACS with
a total financial outlay of ₹2925.39 Crore has been approved by the Government of India,
which entails bringing all functional PACS in the Country onto a common ERP based national
software, linking them with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs. A total of 73,492 PACS
from 31 States/ UTs have been sanctioned under the project. A total of 59,920 PACS have been
onboarded on ERP Software and hardware has been procured by 30 States/UTs.
Under Computerization of PACS Project, total 5,628 PACS from the State of Karnataka have
been sanctioned, out of which 3,765 PACS have been onboarded on ERP Software and
hardware has been delivered in 5,491 PACS. The State-wise details are attached at Annexure-
III.
*****Annexure-I
Details of PACS Godowns constructed under Pilot Project
Capacity of Infrastructure
S.No. States/UT District Name of PACS
Godown (MT) created
Neripanglai Vividh
1. Maharashtra Amravati 3,000 Godown
Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha
Bahudeshiya Prathamik
Uttar
2. Mirzapur Grameen Sahakari Samiti 1,500 Godown
Pradesh
Limited, Kotwa Panday
BahudeshiyaPrathamik Godown + Paddy
Madhya
3. Balaghat Krishi SaakhSahakari 500 Primary processing
Pradesh
Society Maryadit Parswada unit
The Chandranagar Group
4. Gujarat Ahmedabad Seva Sahakari Mandli 750 Godown
Limited
Silamarathupatti Primary
5. Tamil Nadu Theni 1,000 Godown
Agriculture Credit Society
Godown + Seed
Sri Ghumudwali Gram Seva grading unit +
6. Rajasthan 250
Ganganagar Sahakari Samiti Limited Custom hiring
center
Primary Agriculture Credit
Godown+
7. Telangana Karimnagar Society Limited, 500
processing unit
Gambhiropet
Primary Agriculture
Godown+
8. Karnataka Bidar Cooperative Federation 1,000
processing unit
Limited, Ekamba
Khilpara Primary Godown+
9. Tripura Gomati Agriculture Credit Society 250 processing
Limited unit+Grameenhaat
2 No. Pub Bongshar G.P.S.S
10. Assam Kamrup 500 Godown
Limited
Bahudeshiya Kisan Seva
11. Uttarakhand Dehradun Sahakari Samiti Limited, 500 Godown
Sahaspur
Total 9,750Annexure – II
State-wise details of newly formed PACS after 15.2.2023
S.No State PACS
1 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 1
2 ANDHRA PRADESH 0
3 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 126
4 ASSAM 238
5 BIHAR 39
6 CHHATTISGARH 0
7 GOA 24
8 GUJARAT 458
9 HARYANA 21
10 HIMACHAL PRADESH 91
11 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 161
12 JHARKHAND 45
13 KARNATAKA 180
14 LADAKH 3
15 LAKSHADWEEP 0
16 MADHYA PRADESH 199
17 MAHARASHTRA 177
18 MANIPUR 72
19 MEGHALAYA 217
20 MIZORAM 41
21 NAGALAND 13
22 ODISHA 1,534
23 PUDUCHERRY 3
24 PUNJAB 0
25 RAJASTHAN 970
26 SIKKIM 24
27 TAMIL NADU 29
28 TELANGANA 0
29 THE DD & DNH 5
30 TRIPURA 187
31 UTTAR PRADESH 516
32 UTTARAKHAND 543
33 WEST BENGAL 20
34 CHANDIGARH 0
35 DELHI 0
36 KERALA 0
Grand Total 5,937Annexure – III
PACS Computerisation Project Status (30th June 2025)
S. No. States Approved ERP ERP - Day- Audit Hardware
PACS Onboarded Go live End Completed delivered
1. Maharashtra 12,000 11,954 11,828 10,690 3,379 12,000
2. Rajasthan 7,468 5,900 5,335 5,233 812 6,781
3. Gujarat 5,754 5,627 4,513 4,082 2,046 5,754
4. Uttar Pradesh 5,686 3,048 2,990 2,584 1,112 3,062
5. Karnataka 5,682 3,765 1,930 1,728 408 5,491
6. Madhya 5,188 4,428 4,491 4,272 4,062 4,534
Pradesh
7. Tamil Nadu 4,532 4,531 4,529 4,528 27 4,532
8. Bihar 4,495 4,460 4,444 4,431 3,299 4,477
9. West Bengal 4,167 3,145 3,123 2,959 - 3,314
10. Punjab 3,482 3,408 2,217 2,080 7 3,456
11. Odisha 2,711 - - - - -
12. Andhra 2,037 2,021 2,021 1,986 - 2,021
Pradesh
13. Chhattisgarh 2,028 2,028 2,025 2,027 1,606 2,028
14. Himachal 1,789 965 850 742 435 1,789
Pradesh
15. Jharkhand 2,797 1,414 1,479 1,424 1,272 1,500
16. Haryana 710 609 582 433 6 710
17. Uttarakhand 670 670 669 588 - 670
18. Assam 583 579 573 442 166 583
19. J&K 537 536 534 536 530 537
20. Tripura 268 207 193 195 166 268
21. Manipur 232 175 170 169 81 169
22. Nagaland 231 64 48 18 2 231
23. Meghalaya 112 99 105 93 - 109
24. Sikkim 107 103 105 69 50 107
25. Goa 58 45 42 27 3 56
26. ANI 46 46 46 45 19 46
27. Puducherry 45 43 44 42 3 45
28. Mizoram 49 25 25 22 22 25
29. Arunachal 14 11 11 11 5 14
Pradesh
30. Ladakh 10 10 10 10 10 10
31. DNH&DD 4 4 4 4 3 4
Total 73,492 59,920 54,936 51,470 19,531 64,323
*****