Government Sets Higher Paddy and Millet Procurement Targets for Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25
Paddy procurement target for the Kharif crop has been fixed at 485 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in terms of rice, marking an increase from the 463 LMT procured during the previous season (KMS 2023-24).
In preparation for the upcoming Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25, the Government of India has set ambitious targets for the procurement of paddy and millets. A high-level meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), along with State Food Secretaries and officials from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), to discuss procurement strategies and readiness.
During the meeting, various factors such as weather forecasts, production estimates, and the preparedness of states for procurement operations were thoroughly reviewed. Following deliberations, the paddy procurement target for the Kharif crop was fixed at 485 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in terms of rice, marking an increase from the 463 LMT procured during the previous season (KMS 2023-24), according to a press release from the Food Ministry.
The government also aims to significantly boost the procurement of coarse grains and millets (Shree Anna), with an estimated target of 19.00 LMT for KMS 2024-25. This represents a substantial rise from the 6.60 LMT procured during KMS 2022-23, reflecting the government's push towards crop diversification and enhanced nutritional security through increased millet consumption.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Principal Secretaries and Secretaries (Food) from various States and Union Territories, as well as officials from the India Meteorological Department and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
