Lok Sabha Question No. 1483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Procurement of Grains by FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Ram Shiromani Verma, Shri Ram Shiromani Verma

## ORIGINAL IN raNDI

## (,OVERNMF,NT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1483 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 1 ST JULY, 2024

## PROCUREMENT  OF GRAINS BY PCI

## +1483 SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION wrtmT wr& un all tIT+gfqq fBawr +it be pleased to state

- (a) whether the farmers are still  selling  their produce below  Minimum Support Price due to lack of awareness regarding procurement process;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof;
- (C) the steps taken to spread awareness among farmers;
- (d) whether the Government has evaluated  the efficiency  ofFCI in procurement of grains;
- (e) if  so, the details along with  the outcome thereof;
- (f) the corrective steps taken in this regard; and
- (g) the steps being taken to  liquidate  excess stock to facilitate  new procurement?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE FOR MiNISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c): There exists a transparent &  uniform policy  for  procurement  of  food grains by Government Agencres across the  country. The  Government's policy  of  procurement of foodgrains has broad objectives of ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP)  to the farmers and availability  of foodgrains to the weaker sections at affordable prices. Under this policy, stocks conformrng to the Government of India (GoI)  specifications which are offered by the farmers at  Purchase centers are procured by  the Government Agencies at MSP. However, if  the farmers get prices better than MSP in open market, they are free to sell their produce

Government of India  in  consultation with  Food Corporation of  India  (FCI)  and States Governments formulates procurement plan to procure foodgrains from the farmers. The steps taken to spread awareness among farmers are

1.  MSP is announced by GoI at the beginning of the sowing season of crops based on the input  costs and margin  to  farmers.  FCI  and State Government Agencies procure the foodgrains at MSP. This enables the farmers to take informed decision with  regard to choice of crop to be grown.
2.  MSP operations are given wide  publicity  through pamphlets, banners, sign boards radio, TV  and advertisements through print  & electronic media.
3.  Farmers are made aware of  the  quality specifications and purchase system etc. to facilitate the farmers to bring their produce conforming to the specifications.
4. 4 Procurement offoodgrains under MSP are now carried out in online mode through State Procurement Portals linked  with  Central Foodgrains Procurement Portal  (CFPP), These Procurement portals provide  farmers the  latest/ updated information  regarding MSP declared, nearest purchase center, date/ period  of  procurement,  allotment  of  slots/ time to  farmers against their  booking  for  sale of  produce etc. This  not  only  has reduced the waiting  period for delivery  of  stock by the farmers but also enables  the farmer to deliver stock as per his convenience in the nearest mandi

(d)  to (f): Government of India  in consultation with  FC:1 and respective State Governments formulates procurement plan to  procure food grains (wheat/paddy/coarse  grains) from the farmers every year during State Food Secretaries' meeting for  Kharif  and Rabi crop Procurement operations are regularly reviewed by  Government of  India which  inter-alia Includes evaluation  of  efficiency of  FCI  in  procurement  of  grains  and necessary corrective actions, whenever required, are taken

(g): The Government of  India distributes foodgrains to  the beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY),  Other Welfare Schemes (OWS), defence, additional allocations in case of natural calamity etc.

In  addition, GoI sells surplus food grains, beyond the PDS requirements, through open sale under Open  Market Sales Scheme (Domestic) {OMMSS(D)}.  This helps increase the availability of  foodgrains in  the market, control inflation, ensure food security and make foodgrains more afFordable for the general population

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