This Guideline aims to (i) solve the problem of underutilized food storage facilities by improving their operational efficiency and maintenance; (ii) introduce the management modality that enhances the food system resilience through increased utilization of the public warehouses. This will allow farmers to more easily access storage services, along with other benefits like marketing, credit, and farm supplies. The Ministry of Agriculture is working to ensure food security and sustainable farming by building, licensing, and managing food storage warehouses. These facilities are key to reducing post-harvest losses, improving public health, stabilizing food prices, and giving farmers better access to markets. Specifically, the Guideline aims to (i) clearly define the warehouse ownership and property rights; (ii) specify the management and operational procedures under the new management modality; (iii) establish the governance structure and accountability mechanisms which are necessary to ensure the transparency, proper functioning and oversight of the warehouse operations; (iv) adopt the warehouse receipt system where applicable to streamline formal marketing; (v) promote development and sustainability of warehouse facilities and operations; (vi) promote the data, information and reporting systems for public warehouses.
The sustainability of the warehouses depends on several factors: clear ownership, effective maintenance and repair of infrastructure, financial viability, a functional grievance redress mechanism, a sustainable increase in food crop production, the presence of a processing unit for value addition, accessibility, and stakeholder engagement. These aspects are all explained in the Guideline. As for governance, to ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment with objectives, oversight for warehouse operations will be handled by existing government committees or departments. These committees will be given additional capacity to effectively manage their new responsibilities, which will vary depending on whether the warehouses are owned by villages, District Councils, or the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Guideline includes other topics, such as (i) monitoring; (ii) inspections; (iii) reports related to activities undertaken; (iv) digitalization; (v) gender inclusivity.