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FCI to hire more godowns to store foodgrains
The storage capacity, Covered and Cover and Plinth (CAP) available with the Food Corporation of India as on 01.04.2012 was 336.04 lakh MTs, both owned and hired. The storage capacity with state agencies for storage of Central stock of foodgrains as on 31.03.2011 was about 291 lakh tonnes including both covered and CAP capacity. Thus, a total quantity of 627 lakh tonnes of storage capacity was available for storage of Central stock of foodgrains against the Central stock of 527 lakh tonnes as on 1.04.2012.
Further to increase the storage facility available with FCI, and to meet any increased storage requirements in the ensuing seasons, Executive Directors(Zones) and General Managers (Regions) of FCI have been given full powers for hiring of godowns for short term usage to store the procured foodgrains as per their requirement if the capacity available with FCI is not sufficient to store the foodgrains. This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution System in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister said that however, due to the increased procurement of foodgrains and to reduce the storage under Cover and Plinth (CAP), the Government formulated a Scheme for construction of storage godowns through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Assessment of additional storage needs under the scheme is based on the overall procurement/consumption and the storage space already available.
For the consuming areas, storage capacity is to be created to meet four months requirement of PDS and other Welfare Schemes in a State. For the procurement areas, the highest stock levels in the last three years are considered to decide the storage capacity required.
Based on this analysis and criteria laid down in the scheme, State wise capacity requirement and locations were identified. Under the scheme, the Food Corporation of India would now give a guarantee of ten years for assured hiring to the private entrepreneurs for which storage charges would be payable. A capacity of 151.96 lakh tonnes is to be created in 19 states under the scheme through private entrepreneurs and Central and State Warehousing Corporations. Out of this, for a capacity of about 107 lakh tonne tenders have been finalised on the Private Investors including the capacities being constructed by CWC/SWCs on their own lands.
The Government has also approved creation of a capacity of 20 lakh tonnes in silos within the overall storage requirements of FCI under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Besides involving private entrepreneurs, this Department has also finalised a Plan scheme for creation of total additional storage capacity of 5.40 lakh tonne in the NE through FCI at a total estimated cost of about Rs. 5.68bn.
Govt targeting 250 MT farm production in FY13
Government reportedly targets 250 million tonne of crop production in the year 2012-13.
PK Basu, Agriculture Secretary was quoted as saying,"We have set a conservative food grain production target of 250 million tonne for 2012-13 crop year. We expect to exceed the target the way we did in the last season."
Due to good monsoon last year the government exceeded the target by over 7 million tonne with record production of wheat and rice.
This year, we have targeted to produce 104 million tonne of rice as against the expected actual production of 103.41 million tonne in 2011-12. But the target for wheat production has been lowered to 86 million tonne from the expected actual production of 90.23 million tonne in 2011-12. This may help a bit in managing excess stock of wheat piled up at government warehouse after a bumper production in the last two years," P.K Basu added.
Domestic News
JAIN Irrigation announces global strategic cooperation with TALIS Management
JAIN Irrigation Systems Ltd (Mumbai, India) and TALIS Management Holdings GMBH (Rodgau, Germany) announced a global strategic cooperation to bundle TALIS products as part of JAIN product offerings.
JAIN a diversified global irrigation and pipes company headquartered in Jalgaon, India and Talis Group a leading European design and manufacturer of Valves and Fittings intend to strengthen their business relationship by offering integrated irrigation and water infrastructure solutions worldwide.
Ajit Jain, Managing Director of JAIN Irrigation said: “This Strategic Cooperation with TALIS fits with our overall growth strategy and will boost our offerings by integrating high technology Valves and Fittings with our micro irrigation products enabling us to provide a one-stop solution.”
Kris Holla, Chief Sales Officer of TALIS Group said: “We look forward to introducing Talis products through JAIN network globally. We are joining forces in order to be number one in Irrigation markets globally.
JAIN Irrigation Systems Ltd (Mumbai, India) and TALIS Management Holdings GMBH (Rodgau, Germany) announced a global strategic cooperation to bundle TALIS products as part of JAIN product offerings.
JAIN a diversified global irrigation and pipes company headquartered in Jalgaon, India and Talis Group a leading European design and manufacturer of Valves and Fittings intend to strengthen their business relationship by offering integrated irrigation and water infrastructure solutions worldwide.
Ajit Jain, Managing Director of JAIN Irrigation said: “This Strategic Cooperation with TALIS fits with our overall growth strategy and will boost our offerings by integrating high technology Valves and Fittings with our micro irrigation products enabling us to provide a one-stop solution.”
Kris Holla, Chief Sales Officer of TALIS Group said: “We look forward to introducing Talis products through JAIN network globally. We are joining forces in order to be number one in Irrigation markets globally.
Shree Renuka drops after India said to curb sugar exports
Pawar calls upon states to amend Cooperative Acts
Pratik Cotton Seed' increases cotton yield for farmers
Govt plans to reduce subsidy on fertilisers: Pawar
Govt notifies free sugar exports: reports
Increase in allocation of foodgrains
Efforts to create more storage capacity for foodgrains
Schemes for Providing Subsidised Foodgrains, Oil and Sugar
Indian sugar exporters don’t need permits from food ministry: reports
Jain irrigation ties up with G8 body
International News
Diamond Foods issues a new walnut purchase agreement
Diamond Foods reportedly issued a new walnut buying contract for growers who wish to sell their crop to the company.
According to reports, the growers have a choice of one-, two- or three-year contracts. Growers will be paid in four payments starting after Oct. 1 and ending June 15. It will determine the final price of each walnut crop by May 1.
Diamond is trying to repair its business after it fudged its profit over the timing of payments to walnut growers, reports added.
Global food prices to stay high until 2020: OECD