To discuss arrangements for procurement of crops in ensuing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India, chaired a meeting with State Food Secretaries and Food Corporation of India (FCI) on 29.08.2024 in New Delhi.

Various factors impacting procurement such as weather forecast, production estimates, and readiness of States for procurement operations were reviewed during the meeting. After deliberations, the estimates for paddy procurement (Kharif Crop) during ensuing KMS 2024-25 have been fixed at 485 LMT in terms of rice compared to procurement of 463 LMT (Kharif Crop) during KMS 2023-24. 

A quantity of 19.00 LMT of coarse grains /millets (Shree Anna) has also been estimated for procurement by the States during the KMS 2024-25 (Kharif crop) which is a substantial increase compared to procurement of 6.60 LMT during KMS 2022-23 (Kharif crop). States/UTs were advised to focus on procurement of millets for diversification of crops and enhanced nutrition in dietary patterns.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary/Secretary (Food) of States/UTs as well as officers from FCI, India Meteorological Department and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Several ongoing initiatives of Department of Food and Public Distribution which inter-alia included Supply Chain Optimization of Public Distribution System, infrastructure improvement in Procurement Centers, Jan Poshan Kendras and workflow automation for release of food subsidy to the States etc were also discussed in the meeting.

Procurement estimates for kharif paddy and millets guide state procurement operations and central pool supply planning. Meeting reviewed operational arrangements for central pool procurement of Kharif crops, fixing aggregate procurement estimates for paddy and a separate estimate for coarse grains and millets; States were advised to prioritise millet procurement for crop diversification and nutrition. Attendees included State Food Secretaries, FCI, meteorological and agriculture officials. The meeting also discussed Supply Chain Optimization of the Public Distribution System, procurement centre infrastructure improvements, Jan Poshan Kendras and workflow automation for release of food subsidy to States to support procurement and distribution operations.