Centre greenlights procurement of 10 LMT fortified parboiled rice from Odisha
Published on: January 20, 2024.
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Bhubaneswar: The Food and Public Distribution Department has given the green light to include 10 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of fortified parboiled rice in the procurement plan of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from Odisha, according to Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
This decision comes after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan requested Goyal to procure parboiled rice from Odisha for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-24. In response, Goyal approved the additional procurement of fortified parboiled rice from Odisha.
On January 16, Pradhan wrote to Goyal, showcasing Odisha as the fourth-largest paddy-producing state. With a projected bumper harvest, it is estimated that 79 LMT of rice will be collected during the KMS 2023-24 in Odisha. Initially, the Government of India set a target of 44.28 LMT for rice procurement.
Pradhan emphasized the surplus parboiled rice after fulfilling the state’s rice requirements for NFSA, SFSA, and other welfare schemes, which necessitates its evacuation by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
**Fortified Parboiled Rice Procurement Approved by Food and Public Distribution Department**
The Food and Public Distribution Department has given its approval for the inclusion of 10 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of fortified parboiled rice in the procurement plan of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from Odisha. This announcement comes following a request made by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, urging the procurement of parboiled rice from Odisha. Goyal, in response to Pradhan’s request, conveyed the Department’s approval for the additional procurement of fortified parboiled rice from Odisha.
**Odisha’s Prominence in Paddy Production**
In a letter sent to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the significance of Odisha as the fourth-largest paddy-producing state. With an expected bumper harvest, Odisha is projected to collect 79 LMT of rice during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-24. Initially, the Government of India had set a procurement target of 44.28 LMT for rice.
**Surplus Parboiled Rice for Evacuation**
According to Pradhan, after fulfilling the rice requirements for various welfare schemes such as NFSA and SFSA, Odisha has surplus parboiled rice that needs to be evacuated by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The inclusion of fortified parboiled rice in the procurement plan will help address this surplus and ensure efficient distribution.
By incorporating the 10 LMT of fortified parboiled rice from Odisha, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be able to meet the rising demand for rice and contribute to food security in the country.
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**Source: [Odisha Bhaskar](https://odishabhaskar.in)**
