‘Wheat production estimate was revised to lower side due to early summer this year’
‘Wheat production estimate was revised to lower side due to early summer this year’
The authorities on Friday stated wheat shares in FCI godowns is anticipated to be 134 lakh tonnes initially of subsequent fiscal, 80% greater than the buffer norm.
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal stated the central pool inventory of wheat as on July 1, 2022 is nicely above the foodgrains stocking norms.
“As on July 1, 2022, Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government agencies have 285.10 lakh tonnes of wheat stock under central pool against the stocking norm of 275.80 lakh tonnes,” he stated.
In the present 2022-23 advertising 12 months, Mr. Goyal stated the procurement of wheat has been about 188 lakh tonnes.
“…it is expected that even after meeting out the requirement of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (up to September 2022) and Public Distribution System, the projected wheat stock as on April 1, 2023 would be 134 lakh tonnes against the stocking norm of 74.6 lakh tonnes,” the Minister stated.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), 5 kilograms freed from price foodgrains per individual is distributed to round 80 crore folks coated beneath the National Food Security Act (NFSA). This is over and above common distribution of subsidised NFSA foodgrains (i.e. 35 kg per Antyodaya Anna Yojana household per 30 days and 5 kg per 30 days for precedence family beneficiary).
The scheme, which was launched first in April 2020, has been prolonged until September this 12 months.
Mr. Goyal identified that wheat manufacturing estimate was revised to decrease facet because of early summer season this 12 months.
Also, there was an increase in international costs of wheat because of varied geo-political causes, he added.
“The government is committed to providing for the food security requirements of India first and also support the neighbouring and other vulnerable developing countries which are adversely affected by the sudden changes in the global market for wheat and are unable to access adequate wheat supplies,” Mr. Goyal stated.
Therefore, he stated, the central authorities amended the export coverage of wheat from free to prohibited.
“As per the available stock and further projections up to April 2023, the country has enough stock of foodgrains to cater to the requiremnet of PDS and other welfare scheme and to meet out any other eventuality,” Mr. Goyal asserted.
On May 13, the federal government suspended wheat export with quick impact.
It moved the export of all forms of wheat, together with high-protein durum, from ‘free’ to the ‘prohibited’ class. The choice was aimed toward controlling the rising costs of wheat within the home market.
India had exported a document 7 million tonnes of wheat throughout 2021-22 fiscal.
Source: www.thehindu.com
