Cooperatives have a distinct role in post-harvest management, says Sharad Pawar

NEW DELHI: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today asked cooperative institutions to contribute to creation of storage and cold storage capacity in the country.

Addressing the 72nd Meeting of General Council of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Pawar said that cooperatives have a distinct role in post-harvest management.

Pawar said NCDC sanctioned assistance for creation of 3.70 lakh tonnes of storage space in 2010-11 and 3.94 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 including renovation of existing godowns.

Development of cold chains shall be one of the thrust areas of NCDC, an official release quoted him as saying.

NCDC has been appointed as an agency for accreditation of warehouses by the Warehousing Development & Regulatory Authority.

The implementation of this system will facilitate creation of more efficient supply chains, provide enhanced grading and quality, enable better risk management, ensure higher price realisation for farmers and better services to consumers.

The Minister informed the members that amendment of NCDC Act to include producer companies within its ambit, has already been approved by the Cabinet and they will soon be eligible for assistance under NCDC.

Commending the role of NCDC, he said it is making all out efforts to cope up with the challenges and to continue with good performances.