411 lakh tonne rice stock likely to remain in central pool by the end of current financial year

24-Oct-2024 08:39 PM

New Delhi. Not only is there ample stock of rice available in the central pool, but sufficient stock is also likely to remain available in future.

At the beginning of the current financial year on 1 April 2024, there was a stock of 302 lakh tonne rice, which was more than double the minimum required quantity of 136 lakh tonne for this date.

Government procurement of 520 lakh tonne rice is expected between April 2024 and March 2025, which will increase its total availability to 822 lakh tonne.

During this period, a total of 411 lakh tonne rice is expected to be allocated/distributed under the National Food Security Act, other welfare schemes, open market sale scheme and Bharat Brand Sale Scheme and after this, an outstanding surplus stock of 411 lakh tonne rice may remain in the central pool on 31 March 2025.

If the minimum required stock of 136 lakh tonnes is reserved out of this, then still 275 lakh tonnes of rice will remain in the central pool.

Although the Government of India has been allocating rice export quota to ensure internal food security of other needy countries, but the pace of its shipment has been very slow.

Now duty free and control free export of all whole category rice has been allowed, hence the shipment of government rice may be very less. However, the government of Bangladesh has decided to order 5 lakh tonnes of rice.