In 2011-12 marketing year that ended last month rice procurement by government touched a record 35.02 million tonnes (MT) compared to 34.19 MT procurement in the 2010-11 marketing year (October-September) period, as per data compiled by the Food Ministry. This record procurement is due to increased buying in non-traditional states like Chhattisgarh and Bihar following an all time high production.
Of the total rice purchase which were in tune of 35.02 MT, the state of Punjab accounted for maximum procurement which stood at 7.7 MT followed by Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha where procurement stood at 7.5 MT, 4.11 MT, 3.35 MT and 2.84 MT respectively.
As per the data, the state of Punjab and Andhra Pradesh experienced sluggishness with respect to purchase of white rice while procurement was higher than previous year in non-traditional states like Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In 2011-12 marketing year, rice procurement in Chhattisgarh rose to 4.11 MT from 3.73 MT. Similarly, procurement in Uttar Pradesh increased to 3.35 MT from 2.55 MT while rice buying in Bihar jumped to 1.53 MT from 8.66 lakh tonnes in the review period.
A record production of 104.32 MT in 2011-12 and an increased awareness among farmers about the government’s procurement operation were the two main contributing factors for augment in rice procurement. To meet the demand under various welfare schemes, rice procurement is been undertaken by both the central body FCI as well as the state agencies. It is also undertaken to ensure that farmers get at least the minimum support price.
