BackRice procurement higher than last year by 5 million tonnes
The total rice procurement so far is 20.8 million tonnes, compared to 15.7 million tonnes by this time last year
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New Delhi: Despite two back-to-back drought affecting production of foodgrain in the country, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has procured 5 million tonnes of rice more than last year, the centre said on Tuesday.
The total rice procurement so far is 20.8 million tonnes, compared to 15.7 million tonnes by this time last year.
The increase in procurement of paddy has come from states such as Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, the centre said, adding that to ensure that FCI has enough funds to pay farmers and state government agencies, it has been provided an additional funding of ₹ 10,000 crore in January 2016.
The government further said that in 2014 and 2015, the south-west monsoon was deficient but due to robust procurement there is more than adequate stocks in the central pool.
FCI is also stepping up open market sale of wheat to check inflation, and the excess quantity of rice will help in meeting any contingencies arising due to monsoon deficit or natural calamities in near future, it added.
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