Enough wheat to be available in India this year, 342 Lac ton procurement expected: FCI CMD

Date:04-10-2023

• Wheat production to be higher by 5% this year: Subodh Kumar Singh, Addl. Secretary
  

• Current wheat procurement at 7 Lac tons: FCI CMD
  

• Industry demands revocation of export ban on wheat products
  

• Wheat production likely to be 102.9 million tons

Buoyant over the various estimates on wheat production and procurement, Shri Ashok Kumar Meena, Chairman & Managing Director, Food Corporation of India said that in view of better than expected wheat production, estimates and government’s assurance to support farmers in view of unexpected rains, FCI has already procured 7 Lac tons of wheat as on date and is well-poised to procure 342 Lac tons of wheat in this year.

″It is important for all of us – government and the private sector to work together to ensure that prices of wheat and atta remains stable, despite global headwinds. We have support of higher production estimates too with us,″ said Shri Meena.

Echoing the sentiments, Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India said that the estimates of both ministry and private sector are signalling higher wheat production this year, despite impact of unseasonal rains and hailstorm in March-April, 2023.

They were addressing the 1st Extra Ordinary General Meeting and Board of Directors’ Meet of Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India, wherein a survey report on ″Wheat Crop & Production Estimates for the Crop Year 2022-23″ was also unveiled.

The Survey report prepared by Agri Watch on behalf of Federation has predicted the wheat production of 102.89 million tons, reduced from 104.24 million tons (estimated in March 2023) due to unseasonal rains and hail storm faced by wheat producing states towards the end of March, 2023. The estimates are based on the survey conducted in two phases across 9 states (80 districts) – Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. 

Speaking on occasion, Shri Pramod Kumar S, President, Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India requested the government to lift the ban on wheat products export on account of higher estimates and sufficient buffer stock.

″Though the unexpected rains and hailstorm have played spoil sport in the record production that we were expecting, however higher acreage and yield is expected to create comfortable situation for the country. Hence, we request the government to consider lifting the ban on wheat export, so that we could support the large Indian diaspora that always prefer Indian wheat atta,″ he said.  

″In order to avoid the past situations wherein the absence of data led to fluctuation of wheat prices, we have come up with this survey. It will help both the industry and government to plan future course of action as well as measures to control the prices,″ said Shri Navneet Chitlangia, Senior Vice President of the Federation who was also present during the press conference.

Assuring the support of Federation in GoI’s campaign on millets products, Shri Rohit Khetan, Honrary Secretary, Rollers Flour Miller Association of India said, ″The federation is working towards producing the millets’ atta and is committed to support the government’s efforts to promote millets consumption in the country and elsewhere. 

″The government is open minded to hear our issues and provided solutions too. We are committed to support Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for ‘interest of country before anything else’ and we have exhibited the same by working with government in taming the atta prices,″ said Shri Dharmendra Jain, Vice President of the Federation.

Established in 1940, the 2500+ members strong pan-India association foresees excellent wheat crop and bumper procurement this year.