News
05.02.2010
India. Rice procurement crosses 200 LT in 2009-10 season
Rice procurement has crossed 200 lakh tonnes so far in the ongoing 2009-10 marketing season, even as the total purchase showed a slight dip of over three per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to the latest official data, total rice purchased by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State agencies stood at 201.38 lakh tonnes so far this season against to 208.49 lakh tonnes.
The Centre hopes to procure 280 lakh tonne rice this season, more than the annual requirement of 272 lakh tonne for the PDS, even as the grain production this year is expected to be lower by 13 million tonnes. The shortfall in production of the food grain is expected after the country suffered the twin calamities of drought and flood.
Last year the FCI and other state-run procurement agencies had purchased a record 336.
PTI
