Bihar to Host World’s Largest Food Storage Network as Govt Unveils INR 800 Cr Agritech Push

In a landmark step for agritech infrastructure in Bihar, the Government of India has announced the creation of the world’s largest decentralized food storage network for farmers, backed by an investment of INR 83.16 crore. The initiative will equip 25 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across the state with smart, climate-resilient warehouses totaling 62,500 metric tonnes in capacity.

These advanced storage facilities are designed to reduce post-harvest losses, integrate real-time inventory systems, and enhance rural agricultural logistics — placing Bihar at the forefront of India’s agritech transformation.

The initiative comes at a time when the government is prioritizing agri-logistics and farmer income enhancement under its Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, with Bihar emerging as a key beneficiary due to its fertile land, abundant water resources, and robust cooperative ecosystem.

These “smart warehouses,” featuring climate-resilient design and digital inventory tracking, headline a broader set of announcements totaling over INR 800 crore, focused on strengthening agricultural logistics, cooperative modernization, and value chain development in the state.

Digitizing Rural Cooperatives for Smarter Farming

Alongside storage expansion, the government outlined an ambitious roadmap to modernize PACS by introducing computerization and service diversification, enabling these cooperatives to function as local agri-service centers. Farmers will gain easier access to loans, seeds, digital procurement systems, and advisory services, all under one roof.

Under the modernization drive, PACS will be equipped with cloud-based accounting systems, farmer-facing digital kiosks, and integrated platforms to manage inputs, procurement, and storage. This is expected to improve transparency, reduce delays, and enhance access to credit and market linkages — key hurdles for smallholder farmers.

Reviving Legacy Crops with Tech and Investment

In an effort to restore Bihar’s leadership in sugarcane production, the government has committed to reopening 30 closed sugar mills, reversing decades of decline in the sector. These mills will be upgraded with modern processing technology, creating new livelihood opportunities for farming communities and reducing dependence on external markets.

The state’s flagship crop, makhana, is also set to benefit from a newly established Makhana Board, designed to support everything from farm-level processing to global marketing. A makhana processing and marketing center was inaugurated under the Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP) at a cost of INR 46 lakh.

Crop R&D and MSP Support for Maize, Pulses and Cereals

Furthering its R&D-driven approach, the Centre will invest INR 1,000 crore to revive the Maize Research Centre, which will drive innovation in crop resilience, productivity, and market readiness. The Centre will focus on developing climate-smart maize varieties, improving extension services, and creating data-backed crop planning tools for farmers.

The state’s maize, wheat, rice, and pulses growers will also benefit from guaranteed procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), offering income stability amid fluctuating markets and unpredictable weather patterns.

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Agri-Logistics Gets a Lift: Farmers’ Train and New Warehouses

To streamline produce movement, Bihar’s first dedicated farmers’ train was launched, aimed at cutting transit time and costs for agricultural goods. Complementing this was the inauguration of 11 new warehouses worth INR 2.27 crore, which will strengthen local storage capacity and reduce transportation-related losses.

The state also saw the greenlighting of three new road transport projects worth INR 109.16 crore, forming part of a larger infrastructure expansion that includes seven mega bridges (INR 8,000 crore) and a 5,000-km railway network (INR 31,000 crore) — all geared toward improving rural connectivity and facilitating agri-commerce.

A Long-Term Agritech Vision for Bihar

With its natural strengths in litchi, makhana, mushroom, and maize cultivation, Bihar is poised to evolve into a leading agritech hub. The government’s integrated approach — combining digital cooperatives, crop research, smart storage, and resilient logistics — is set to redefine the agricultural economy of the region.

Bihar already leads in makhana and litchi production, and with focused investments in technology and market infrastructure, experts believe the state can replicate success models seen in Maharashtra’s onion cold chains or Punjab’s wheat procurement systems.

According to estimates, over 1.2 million small and marginal farmers across Bihar stand to benefit from these initiatives. Local farmer cooperatives have welcomed the move, citing reduced wastage, improved price realization, and timely market access as key outcomes.

These initiatives represent not just infrastructure investments but a strategic shift toward farmer-centric, tech-enabled rural development. With a clear emphasis on building a resilient, data-driven agricultural ecosystem, Bihar is well on its way to becoming a model state for agritech integration and inclusive growth in India’s next rural transformation chapter.