Development of storage infrastructure especially in rural
areas is essential to harness the agriculture potential
and help the farming community. This study has been conducted
to know specifically the extent of spread of constructed/renovated
rural godown, regional imbalances in construction of rural
godowns, investment made and subsidy distributed, the availability
of rural godowns in terms of geographical area as well as
production, utilization pattern and to examine the benefits
extended to rural economy in terms of employment generated,
wastage reduction and price gain by launching of the scheme
in India. The study also suggests to extend benefit to more
number of farmers, small-sized farmers, farmers of hilly
and desert dominated areas and also to check the growing
imbalance among the regions, states and districts in the
construction of rural godowns by (a) Giving priority to
the sanction of rural godown projects among the hill-dominated
states; (b) Enhancing banking services by making on the
spot sanction of loan; (c) Launching intensive training
and awareness about the scheme in the poorly developed areas;
(d) Implementing pledge financing by simplifying procedure
and pursuing the banks for advancement; and (e) Introduction
of negotiable Warehouse Receipt System by drawing time bound
implementation plan and promoting accreditation organization
having compatibility with future trading and commodity exchanges.
Agricultural growth in any developing country, including
India, is intertwined with its rural infrastructure development
and there is a strong positive association between the two.
The rural infrastructure deficit continues to haunt Indian
agriculture. Provision of quality rural infrastructure is
vital for the Indian agriculture to nudge its sustainable
growth trajectory upwards. Storage infrastructure is a crucial
element of the Indian agriculture infrastructure scenario.
Development of storage infrastructure, especially in rural
areas, is essential to harness the agriculture potential
and help the farming community. There is a long felt need
in the country to provide the farming community with facilities
for scientific storage so that wastage and produce deterioration
are avoided and also to enable the farmer-producers to meet
the credit requirement without being compelled to sell the
produce at a time when prices are low and unfavorable. Accordingly,
a Capital Investment Central Sector Scheme for Construction/Renovation
of Rural Godowns has been introduced in 2001 initially for
a period of 2 years to setup 20 lakh tons storage capacity.
The scheme was later on extended for the remaining period
of 10th Five Year Plan to setup additional 68 lakh tons
storage capacity. The scheme aimed at creation of scientific
storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to
meet the requirement of the farmers for storing farm produce,
processed farm produce and agricultural inputs, promotion
of grading, standardization and quality improvement of agricultural
produce and prevention of distress sale by providing the
facilities of pledge financing and marketing credit. |
