Haryana, Punjab provide 20 per cent more rice for central pool

CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana have contributed 20% more paddy to the central pool in the current marketing season that was marked by scanty rains, providing a major boost to the National Food Security Mission.

The two states are the largest contributor of both paddy and wheat to the central kitty.

As per the Food Corporation of India’s latest figures, Punjab contributed 139.54 lakh tonnes of paddy compared to 120 lakh a year ago in the current market season that began in October, while Haryana’s share was 42.6 lakh tonnes compared to 30.5 lakh tonnes.Together, the two rice bowl states contributed 64% to the central kitty of 283 lakh tonnes of paddy.

The other contributors included Chhattisgarh (37.89 lakh tonnes), Andhra Pradesh (18.46 lakh tonnes) and Uttar Pradesh (16.37 lakh tonnes).

Rice, a water intensive crop, was suspected to be affected due to untimely and scanty rains in the current Rabi season. Diversification from water guzzling rice has been on agenda of the two states due to rapid depletion of water levels.

The Food Corporation of India’s rice stock dwindled to 99.47 lakh tonnes in December 2015, the lowest in the last five years. The rice stock was 106 lakh tonnes in December 2014, 142 lakh tonnes in 2013, 306 lakh tonnes in 2012 and 270 lakh tonnes in 2011.

The increase in procurement from the two states is attributed to the yield increase and buying of PUSA 1509 basmati variety by government agencies. The government agencies in the two states, especially Haryana, had to resort to bulk buying of PUSA 1509 basmati variety after prices in open market dwindled below minimum support price for premium variety non-basmati rice.

The rice market was affected by downward price trend in basmati due to carryover stock and limited demand from overseas markets.

While the record procurement has strengthened Food Security Scheme, farmers’ remuneration has been affected by the slump in prices in open market.