Rice procurement by the Government touched a record 35.02 million tonnes in the 2011-12 marketing year that ended last month, due to increased buying in non-traditional States such as Chattisgarh and Bihar following an all-time high production.

In the 2010-11 marketing year (October-September), the Government procured 34.19 million tonnes, according to the Food Ministry’s data.

Of total rice purchases in 2011-12, a maximum 7.7 million tonnes was procured from Punjab, followed by Andhra Pradesh (7.5 million tonnes), Chhattisgarh (4.11 million tonnes), Uttar Pradesh (3.35 million tonnes) and Odisha (2.84 million tonnes).

Rice procurement in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh remained sluggish while purchases in non-traditional states — Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh — was higher than in the previous year, the data showed.

Rice procurement in Chhattisgarh rose to 4.11 million tonnes in the 2011-12 marketing year from 3.73 million tonnes.

Similarly, procurement in Uttar Pradesh increased to 3.35 million tonnes from 2.55 million tonnes. Rice buying in Bihar jumped to 1.53 million tonnes from 8.66 lakh tonnes in the review period.

Rice procurement increased due to a record production of 104.32 million tonnes in 2011-12 and increased awareness among farmers about the Government’s procurement operation.

Rice procurement is undertaken both by the central body FCI as well as the State agencies to meet the demand under various welfare schemes. It is also undertaken to ensure farmers get at least the minimum support price.

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