Question : EXPORT OF RICE



(a) whether the Government agencies enjoyed a monopoly over procurement of paddy directly from the farmers;

(b) if so, whether the monopoly has now been relegated;

(c) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(d) the quantum of paddy procured by these agencies directly from farmers and private traders separately during each of the last three years;

(e) whether the present procurement by Government agencies is sufficient to meet the demand in the country during the current year;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and (g) if not, the steps taken to meet the shortage?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)

(a),(b)&(c): Under the existing policy, the Central Government extends price support to paddy through the Government agencies (Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies). Paddy conforming to the prescribed specifications offered for sale at specified centres is bought by the public procurement agencies. The farmers have the option to sell their paddy either to FCI/ State Agencies at Minimum Support Price, or to the private parties, as is advantageous to them, and so there is no monopoly of the Government agencies over procurement of paddy directly from farmers.

(d): Paddy is procured by Government Agencies directly from farmers or through Cooperative Societies/Arthiyas. Paddy is not procured directly from private traders. Paddy procured by Government Agencies (FCI & State agencies) during last three Kharif Marketing Seasons (KMS) is as follows:

(in lakh tonnes)
Paddy procured	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	176.9	242.2	236.9

(e)&(f): The procurement of rice in the current KMS 2007-08 (as on 28.2.2008) is 200.3 lakh tonnes against the corresponding procurement of 192.5 lakh tones in KMS 2006-07. Rice procurement is expected to be sufficient to manage the requirement of Targeted Public Distribution Scheme and other Welfare Schemes in the current year.

(g): Does not arise.