Paddy Procurement Target for Kharif 2026-27 Set at 708.64 LMT, Lowest in Six Years

The government has fixed the paddy procurement target for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026-27 at 708.64 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), the lowest level in at least six years, amid a decline in paddy acreage during the ongoing kharif season.

The target was finalised following discussions with States and Union Territories at a meeting of State Food Secretaries chaired by Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), in New Delhi on September 1. Officials from various States and UTs and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) participated in the meeting.

The lower procurement target comes against the backdrop of a decline in paddy cultivation. According to data available on the UPAJ portal, paddy had been sown across 414.10 lakh hectares as of August 28, 2026, down 3.35% from 428.46 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year. In absolute terms, the area under paddy is lower by 14.36 lakh hectares.

New quality specifications for improved rice

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of Improved Rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes.

Under the revised specifications, raw rice procured from KMS 2026-27 will be allowed to contain up to 10% broken grains, compared with the existing limit of 25%. For parboiled rice, the permissible limit has been reduced to 5% from 16%.

Procurement of Improved Rice will begin from KMS 2026-27 and will be gradually expanded across procuring States. States have been asked to assess their milling capacity, undertake necessary upgrades and prepare a phased implementation roadmap.

Coarse grain procurement estimated at 18.85 LMT

The government has estimated procurement of 18.85 LMT of coarse grains by States during KMS 2026-27 (Kharif). However, acreage under coarse grains is also trailing last year's level.

As of August 28, coarse grain acreage stood at 177.90 lakh hectares, compared with 182.11 lakh hectares a year earlier, representing a decline of 2.31%.

The meeting reviewed procurement and distribution plans for coarse grains, millets and minor millets. Officials noted that 16.38 LMT of coarse grains and millets were procured during 2025-26, the highest level recorded in the past five years.

Focus on expanding storage capacity

The meeting also reviewed the New Storage Policy, which seeks to address the growing mismatch between foodgrain procurement and offtake, regional disparities in storage infrastructure and under-utilisation of existing capacity.

The policy envisages creation of 131 LMT of additional storage capacity, including 111 LMT by States and 20 LMT by FCI. Identified States have been asked to submit time-bound action plans for creating the additional capacity.

States were also advised to onboard their foodgrain storage facilities onto the Depot Darpan Portal, a self-assessment platform for warehouses. They were asked to complete assessments within stipulated timelines and use training and technical support provided by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), FCI and DFPD.

The government said the measures are aimed at strengthening procurement, improving the quality of rice supplied through welfare schemes and expanding storage infrastructure to make the foodgrain management system more efficient.