FCI stares at storage space shortage

Grain procurement target significantly higher; private godowns may be hired after a gap of 2 years

Storage issues might resurface at Food Corporation of India (FCI) after two years of low grain procurement as the target for rabi wheat purchase this year has been increased sharply.

The food ministry in a statement on February 15 set a 33 million tonne wheat procurement target for the season beginning April, a jump from the previous year’s procurement of 22.96 million tonnes. While the target is for the entire year, much of the procurement happens between April and June.

Government agencies, including FCI and state government warehousing companies, have procured 43.71 million tonnes of paddy by February