Community grain banks in Orissa villages suggested

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 19. A consultation on ``Natural Resources Management and Community Grain Banks for Sustainable Food and Livelihood Security'' organised by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) here has recommended setting up of Community Grain Banks in different parts of Orissa to provide long-term food security to the village community.

The two-day consultation, which came to an end this afternoon, suggested that the grain banks could utilise foodgrains from Food Corporation of India at present as a revolving fund. The main objective of these banks would be to provide foodgrains in the lean months and drought situations to the village community so that the villagers do not fall into the clutches of exploitative forces.

The grain bank programme, to be formally launched later this year along with the land and water care movement, will be implemented by local bodies and self-help groups with the support of the State and Central Government agencies, the MSSRF and other institutions.

It was suggested by the experts that the grain banks should store not only paddy and wheat but also other grains such as ragi, bajra, minor millets and other local staples, pulses etc. Wherever appropriate, fodder and feed banks may also be established. The experts felt that providing storage facilities and the preservation techniques were of utmost importance. Care should be taken to see that they were constructed on an elevated ground and geodesic in nature to withstand disasters. The rural godown scheme of the Central Government should also be utilised effectively.

Under the land and water care movement, the consultation recommended that three districts - drought-hit Nuapada, cyclone- hit Keonjhar and tribal-dominated Keonjhar - will be taken up in the first phase.

As regards the third programme of management of the unique biological resources of the Similipal Biosphere reserve, the consultation decided that at present MSSRF activities will be carried out in three villages in the transitional zone and buffer zone of the biosphere with the support from the Orissa Government's Forest Department.

Addressing the valedictory session of the consultation, the Orissa Governor, Mr. M. M. Rajendran, said that the consultation had thrown up many good ideas of practical value which will be implemented in a few select districts. The experience gathered from them will help in implementing the approach in other districts.

The Governor suggested that an appropriate mechanism should be evolved by which the efforts of the MSSRF were coordinated with the programmes of the Government and the Panchayati Raj institutions so that compartmentalised approach gave way to a well focussed initiative.

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