INTRODUCTION
In such a big country like India where Agriculture plays a major role in the economy, ensuring proper storage as well as management of agricultural produce is crucial. Once farmers grow the crop, they face a big problem how to save the crop from climatic change, pests, and theft. Understanding the issue faced by farmers in rural areas, India Government finally launched the Gramin Bhandaran Yojna in 2001. Accordingly, it gives monetary support to farmers to construct or renovate the storage places. In such godowns, they can keep their crops, which they have grown with hard work and dedication. Hence, Gramin Bhandaran Yojna is a capital investment subsidy scheme that encourages the renovation and also construction of rural godowns.
BACKGROUND OF GRAMIN BHANDARAN YOJNA : –
Earlier the crops harvested by farmers got damaged because of rain, forest fires, pests, rodents, or theft. For this reason, the full-year efforts of Indian farmers used to go to waste because of such undesirable incidents. In the interest of farmers during 2001-2002, the Indian Government consequently launched GBY under which many rural godowns were renovated or constructed. Many Corporations, NGOs, self-help groups, farmers groups, and others have taken interest in this scheme and have contributed significantly. Under this scheme, farmers can thereby build their rural storage godown anywhere outside of their Municipal Corporation’s Jurisdiction.
BENEFICIARY OF GRAMIN BHANDARAN YOJNA: –
Following are the beneficiaries of GBY:
- Marketing committees
- Agro Processing companies
- Quality control laboratories
- Partnership Corporations
- Cooperative societies for agricultural processing
- Companies
- Farmers
- Private companies
- Non-Government Organizations(NGOs)
- Farmers Organizations
- Self Help Organizations
- Self-Help Organizations
- Agricultural Organizations and agencies
OBJECTIVE OF GRAMIN BHANDARAN YOJNA:-
The following are the Objectives of Gramin Bhandaran Yojna:-
1. Ensuring Food security: The scheme ensures a stable as well as secure food supply, safeguarding the nation against fluctuations in agricultural outputs. This can be finally done by encouraging the construction and renovation of storage facilities.
2. Market access: By providing storage facilities, the scheme thereby empowers farmers to store the produce till market conditions are favorable. This will ultimately allow farmers for better decision-making and higher income.
3. Reducing Losses: Moreover Gramin Bhandaran Yojna’s ultimate goal is to reduce the losses farmers face after harvesting their crops. By providing proper storage facilities, the scheme ensures that finally farmers’ hard work does not go to waste and they may get maximum benefits.
4. Collateral for credit: The Godowns constructed under the scheme mainly serve as valuable security, making it simpler for farmers to apply for loans and invest in their agricultural activities.
- Marketing of crops: Enhance standardization, Quality control, and grading of agricultural produce so as to improve its market values.
- Modern and Scientific storage: Create scientific as well as modern storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to help farmers store processed farm produce, farm produce, and agricultural inputs.
FEATURES OF GRAMIN BHANDARAN YOJNA:-
- Financial Assistance: Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive financial aid in the form of subsidies and also grants for the construction of storage structures. The subsidized rate as a whole may vary based on the category of beneficiary, with special attention for underserved sections of society.
- Eligibility Criteria: The scheme is open to individual farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, and agricultural organizations. The scheme ensures that a wide range of stakeholders benefit from the scheme.
- Technical Specifications: For constructing durable and high-quality storage facilities, Garmin Bhandaran Yojna Provides technical specifications.
- Modern Storage facility: To facilitate farmers with efficient options to preserve crops, the scheme emphasizes building modern and scientific structures like warehouses and cold storage units.
- Capacity building: The scheme provides training on modern storage techniques, pest control, and quality maintenance. This empowers the farmers. enhancing knowledge and skill in agricultural practices.
- Public-Private Partnership: The scheme promotes collaboration between the Government and private parties. It helps in the development of high-tech storage facilities and encourages a more extensive and impactful reach.
- Reduction in Post-harvest losses: The scheme empowers farmers to retain the quality and value of the products by providing better storage options. The Gramin Bhandaran Yojna remarkably reduces post-harvest decision-making losses.
- Women Empowerment: The scheme allows women to actively participate in decision making activities related to the storage and marketing of agricultural produces
- Increased Income: Farmers enjoy increased income because of improved storage and reduced losses, contributing to the economic development of rural areas.
CHALLENGES & WAY FORWARD:-
CHALLENGES
- Accessibility Issue: Some remote areas find it difficult to access the benefits of the scheme, limiting its impact on certain farming communities.
- Awareness Gap: Many farmers don’t know about Gramin Bhandaran Yojna leading to hindrance in widespread adoption.
- Continuous Training need: Farmers need training at regular intervals to be updated about ongoing developments in storage techniques.
WAY FORWARD:-
- Enhancing accessibility: By outreach programs and better infrastructure, accessibility to Gramin Bhandaran Yojna can be improved.
- Awareness Campaigns: Launching formulated and planned awareness campaigns to reach farmers and educate them about the benefits of the scheme.
- Sustainable Training programs: Imparting advanced training at regular intervals of time to make farmers aware of modern storage facilities. Regular training will enhance the knowledge and skill set of farmers in the field of storage
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, Gramin Bhandaran Yojna is after all revolutionary for farmers in rural areas. Gramin Bhandaran Yojna gives a blanket to farmers against the enemy called wastage by providing a better as well as more modern storage facility. Of course, farmers now have power and enough time to sell their produce when the market is favorable. Women are also coming forward to manage these storage spots. The scheme is like a key that opens the door for new possibilities like starting a business and using cool technology in harvesting. It is not only about storing the crops but it is about dreaming of creating a new India by improving the agricultural practices.
