FCI will export 15 lakh tonnes of rice from Punjab by October-end

Oct 4, 2024 8:08 pm EST

Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that by December 31, nearly 40 lakh tonnes of rice would be exported from areas of the state in 20 special cargo trains, containers and trucks, thus creating enough storage space for the upcoming paddy crop.

To free up space in overcrowded districts of Punjab, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will transport 15 lakh tonnes of rice by the end of October, state Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said on Friday.

Punjab has a storage capacity of nearly 212 lakh tonnes, of which almost 80% is occupied by wheat, paddy and paddy purchased in previous seasons. (PTI file)

The state has a storage capacity of nearly 212 lakh tonnes, of which almost 80% is occupied by wheat, paddy and paddy purchased in previous seasons.

Kataruchak said that by December 31, nearly 40 lakh tonnes of rice would be removed from areas of the state in 20 special freight trains, containers and trucks, thus creating enough storage space for the upcoming paddy crop.

Punjab is expecting a bumper harvest of 185 lakh tonnes of paddy this season, which will weigh around 120 lakh tonnes when shelled.

The minister further said that more warehouses are being constructed under public-private partnership (PPP) and by March 2025, Punjab will have 90 lakh tonnes of additional storage space.

Earlier this week, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had written to the Union ministry of food and public distribution, asking for some of the old grain to be moved out to provide enough space for fresh orders. It is worth noting that paddy harvesting has already started in the state. The Punjab government also toyed with the idea of storing fresh stocks of rice at rice mill premises, but was met with resistance.

Kataruchak asked farmers to stop blocking railway tracks, saying it would make the transport of grain more difficult.

The minister also informed that the arhtiyas have started purchasing basmati rice from Friday.