Possible question for UPSC:
Q: Discuss the significance of the world's largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector for farmers and food security in India. How can it address the challenges faced by farmers and contribute to the agricultural economy? (GS Paper 3)
A: The world's largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector, as approved by the Union Cabinet, holds immense significance for farmers and food security in India. The plan aims to address the challenges of agricultural storage capacity and low prices faced by farmers while providing them with modern grain storage facilities.
By creating infrastructure such as godowns at selected Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), the plan ensures that farmers have access to proper storage facilities for their crops. This is crucial in reducing wastage of food grains and preventing farmers from being forced to sell their produce at low prices due to lack of storage options.
One of the key benefits of the plan is that farmers will be able to sell their crops to PACS by receiving some advance payment at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This provides financial security to farmers and enables them to meet their immediate needs while waiting for the PACS to sell the food grains in the market. The plan also emphasizes the importance of cooperatives in the rural economy and highlights the role of PACS in supporting farmers and ensuring fair prices for their grains.
The establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Cooperation and Home Minister Amit Shah, reflects the government's commitment to ensuring timely and professional implementation of the plan. By converging various schemes of different ministries, the committee will streamline the process and facilitate effective coordination.
Overall, the world's largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector has the potential to significantly improve the agricultural economy in India. It addresses the challenges of storage capacity, wastage, and low prices faced by farmers, while promoting food security and ensuring fair prices for their crops. The plan will contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing farmers' income, and strengthening the cooperative movement in the country.
Note: The answer provided is a sample response and can be expanded further with more details and examples.
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