Amit Shah Urges PACS Inclusion in Rural Storage Push
New Delhi, June 3, 2025 – Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress and roadmap of the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage scheme, aimed at revolutionizing India’s rural economy. Central to the initiative is the integration of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to expand grassroots storage infrastructure and uplift rural livelihoods.
Shah underlined the dual objectives of the scheme—boosting India’s GDP and generating employment in rural areas. By equipping PACS with robust storage capabilities, the plan envisions a stronger rural supply chain, improved food security, and long-term economic resilience.
Two major cooperative bodies, NAFED and NCCF, have been tapped to play pivotal roles. With their experience in procurement, marketing, and warehousing, both institutions are expected to empower PACS by enhancing operational quality, financial viability, and integration with national supply chains.
NAFED will guide PACS in aligning storage infrastructure with actual agricultural commodity flows, transforming them from passive units to active contributors to India’s food economy. Simultaneously, NCCF’s consumer-facing network can help PACS expand market access, especially in urban areas, reducing post-harvest losses and improving farmer incomes.
Shah also directed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to fast-track the mapping of warehouses and identify strategic locations where PACS can develop or connect to existing hubs. He urged State Warehousing Corporations, NAFED, NCCF, and state governments to collaborate and offer technical and financial support to maximize participation.
The Minister concluded by stressing the importance of timely execution, inter-agency cooperation, and a PACS-centric approach to truly transform India’s rural storage landscape. With effective implementation, the scheme could become a landmark step in cooperative-driven development and rural empowerment.
