Government foodgrain stock rises by nearly 150,000 tonnes in six months

This means government foodgrain stock increased by 148,484 metric tonnes in six months. Currently, the stock includes 2,036,102 metric tonnes of rice, 232,183 metric tonnes of wheat and 34,070 metric tonnes of paddy.

The government's foodgrain storage capacity has also been increased. Previously, the capacity was about 2.4 million metric tonnes, but it has now been raised to 2.7 million metric tonnes. A target has been set to increase this capacity to 3.4 million metric tonnes in the next five years.

Meanwhile, an initiative has been taken to increase the safe food stock standard from 1.35 million to 1.6 million metric tonnes. Officials of the Ministry of Food say the current stock situation is satisfactory and the government is prepared to keep food supply and social safety net programmes operational.

Progress has also been made in the current Boro procurement. As of 9 September, a total of 1,683,195 metric tonnes of foodgrain, combining paddy and rice, has been procured. Alongside, from 1 July to 9 September of the current fiscal year, a total of 827,700 metric tonnes of foodgrain has been imported at government and private levels.

Officials of the Department of Food said that procurement, import and storage activities are being regularly monitored to keep market supply and prices stable and to ensure adequate stock to deal with any emergency situation.