Govt Sets Ambitious Record: 48.5 Million Tonnes Kharif Rice Procurement Target for 2024-25 – A Boost for Farmers’ Future!
The government has set an ambitious rice procurement target of 48.5 million tonnes for the 2024-25 marketing year, which begins in October, following a record paddy sowing in the ongoing kharif season. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, was taken during a meeting with state food secretaries and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), chaired by Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra.
In the current 2023-24 marketing year, the government procured 46.3 million tonnes of kharif rice. The procurement target reflects a significant increase, aligning with the rise in rice cultivation area to 39.43 million hectares, up 16% from the previous year.
The government has also urged states to enhance the purchase of coarse cereals, which saw their sowing area grow to 18.55 million hectares from 17.75 million hectares last year. For the 2024-25 kharif marketing season, the target for coarse grains and millets procurement is set at 1.9 million tonnes, a substantial increase from the 0.66 million tonnes procured in 2022-23.
Various factors, including weather forecasts, production estimates, and state preparedness, were reviewed during the meeting to ensure smooth procurement operations. The expansion in rice and coarse grains cultivation aims to diversify crops and enhance nutritional patterns, addressing concerns of persistent food inflation, which stood at 8.9% in June.
The FCI, as the nodal agency, will oversee the procurement and distribution, reinforcing the government’s commitment to stabilizing the food supply and controlling inflation. This extensive planning is crucial as the total sowing area has increased to 106.51 million hectares from 104.49 million hectares last year, reflecting a robust agricultural season ahead.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/india/govt-sets-record-48-5-million-tonnes-kharif-rice-procurement-target-for-2024-25-marketing-year-11725025618296.html
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