FCI set to procure more wheat this season

The paddy procurement that has been pegged at 30 million tonne which will meet targets

The intense winter this year might benefit wheat growers, with procurement likely to be scaled up by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Sources in the corporation said a meeting of state food secretaries had been convened on February 16 to prepare procurement estimates for the 2014-15 kharif season.

The sources confirmed the estimate would be higher than last year’s procurement, owing to favourable weather. For 2013-14, procurement stood at 28 million tonnes (mt), against the estimated 31 mt, while sowing was 31.2 million hectares. With no major change expected in sowing this year, the projected higher production is attributed to higher yields.

Paddy procurement, estimated at 30 mt for the 2014 kharif season, is likely to meet the target. Till January 26, procurement was 26.4 mt, against 27.1 mt in the year-ago period.

As of January 16, foodgrain stock stood at 36.8 mt (12.8 mt of wheat and 24 mt of rice), against the required strategic reserve of 25 mt as of January 1. Despite a shortfall in paddy production in a few areas due to an insufficient and late monsoon, an official said, “We should procure at least 29 mt of paddy or more.”

The procurement is on in states of Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Tamil Nadu and Chattisgarh.