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HomePosts Tagged "Food Corporation of India (FCI)"
AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Warehousing

Approximately 23,750 cameras would be installed across 561 FCI-owned depots.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has initiated the upgradation of the current analog CCTV surveillance system to a modern IP-based CCTV surveillance system in its storage depots. Approximately 23,750 cameras would be installed across 561 FCI-owned depots. This transition is based on a successful Proof of Concept (POC) conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at FSD Shyamanagar. The implementation of this new IP-based system will significantly enhance monitoring capabilities through high-resolution imaging, improved scalability, and remote access.

The Food Corporation of India is crucial to India’s foodgrain management, playing a key role in the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains. This efficiency not only bolsters the nation’s food security but also supports agricultural development. Among its many functions, storage is vital for fulfilling the needs of the Public Distribution System and various welfare schemes initiated by the Government of India, ensuring that buffer stocks are maintained nationwide. With over 500 FCI-owned depots scattered across the country, effective surveillance of these storage operations is essential at all times.

Over the years, FCI has installed CCTV cameras across various depots to ensure their effective surveillance. In 2013-14 CCTV cameras were installed in 61 depots, with their number increasing to 67 in 2014-15 and extending to 446 own depots by 2018. Currently, a total of 516 FCI depots are under CCTV surveillance. Live Web Feed of these cameras is available on FCI website in “See your depot” tab.

CCTV Cameras installed in the new surveillance system will support onboard analytics features like camera tempering, camera field of view change, camera blur/out of focus, motion detection and trip wire etc. This new Surveillance system will feature the establishment of a centralized Command Control Centre (CCC) and a Network Operating Centre (NoC) at FCI Headquarters.

The health of the installed system will be centrally monitored through the Command Control Centre (CCC), along with a provision for storing incidental data on demand basis. It will also offer advanced video analytics and strengthened security measures, enabling FCI to effectively oversee and manage day-to-day operations across its depots. The proposed system will also include environmental and humidity sensors on pilot basis, which will further enhance its functionality. These sensors will enable the monitoring of environmental conditions, providing valuable data for assessing their impact and ensuring optimal conditions for the system’s performance in the future.

Approximately 23,750 cameras would be installed across

AgroPolicy, India, Sugar industry, Sustainable Energy

The government has approved the allocation of 23 lakh tonnes of rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) stock for ethanol production.

The central government has allowed sugar mills and distilleries to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup, and B-heavy molasses for the ethanol supply year 2024-25. This decision reverses a previous ban imposed on December 15, 2023. The Director of Sugar in the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution issued the order lifting the restriction. This decision aligns with agreements between the Food Ministry, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, and oil marketing companies (OMCs). Both ministries will closely monitor the diversion of sugar for ethanol production to balance it with domestic sugar supply needs.

In addition to this, the government has approved the allocation of 23 lakh tonnes of rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) stock for ethanol production. Ethanol producers will be able to participate in FCI auctions to purchase this rice, which can be used as feedstock.

Last year, due to low sugar production estimates and rising prices of sugar, government banned the production of ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup and B-heavy molasses production at sugar mills. Earlier FCI stopped selling rice for ethanol production due to rising prices. The government has set a target of 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol to 20 by 2025., which is at the level of 13 per cent as per the latest data.

To ensure sufficient domestic sugar supplies, the government has also maintained a ban on sugar exports, despite industry claims that there is adequate stock for export. The industry has called for the export ban to be lifted, citing expectations of better sugar production in the upcoming season.

 Government has also announced that he Food Ministry will continue to monitor sugar production in collaboration with the Petroleum Ministry to ensure a balanced approach to ethanol production and sugar supply.

Welcoming Decision

The sugar mills body, Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), has welcomed the decision made by the government. Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, said, “We welcome the decision taken by the government to lift the restriction on ethanol production. On behalf of the industry, ISMA would like to thank the Government of India. Lifting the restriction and allowing unrestricted ethanol production from sugarcane juice, B-Heavy Molasses, and C-Heavy Molasses for ESY 2024-25 is a significant relief for the industry.”

The government has approved the allocation of

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Trade

Department of Food and Public Distribution have no proposal to alter the duty structure on imports of wheat.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is keeping close watch on the market price of Wheat. In addition, suitable interventions, as warranted shall be undertaken to ensure that there is no hoarding by unscrupulous elements and the price remains stable.

During RMS 2024, the Department has reported production of 112 million MT of wheat. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has procured approximately 266 LMT of wheat till 11.06.2024 during RMS 2024. After meeting the requirement for Public Distribution System (PDS) and other Welfare Schemes, which is approximately 184 LMT, sufficient stock of wheat will be available to undertake market interventions, as and when required.

Buffer stocking norms vary for each quarter of year. As on 1st January 2024, the wheat stock was 163.53 LMT against prescribed buffer norm of 138 LMT.  The Wheat stock has at no point of time dipped below the quarterly buffer stock norms. In addition, at present, there is no proposal to alter the duty structure on imports of wheat.

Department of Food and Public Distribution have

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Collaborations, India, Supply Chain

The partnership will innovate solutions aimed at streamlining operations and resolving bottlenecks in the food supply chain.

In a significant move towards modernizing food procurement and distribution processes, the Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department (UPFCSD) has chosen Ingen Technologies to develop efficient delivery of essential commodities to the state’s citizens. The partnership held to implement Ingen’s smart GPS vehicle tracking system – SecuTrak, for two pivotal initiatives: food grain procurement from 40 District Authorised Purchase Centres and Fair Price Shop automation under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) implementation.

The contract underscores Ingen Tech’s commitment to leveraging technology for operational optimisation, enhanced transparency, and timely delivery of essential goods and services. By addressing objectives, including leakage reduction and real-time delivery notifications, Ingen Tech aims to deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh while setting new standards in logistics management.

The project entails the installation of GPS devices in approximately 8,000 vehicles used for the transportation of NFSA food grains from Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns to Fair Price Shops throughout the state. These GPS devices will enable real-time monitoring of vehicle movement, adherence to predefined routes, and prompt notification of any deviations or delays to concerned authorities.

Ingen Technologies has become an official partner with the Food & Civil Supplies Department, UP; it will aim to address supply chain challenges through technological integration. The partnership will innovate solutions aimed at streamlining operations and resolving bottlenecks in the food supply chain.

Ingen Technologies will deploy its flagship product, SecuTrak, to achieve project goals, such as reducing leakage, providing real-time delivery notifications, and enhancing stakeholder convenience. Furthermore, Ingen plans to integrate GPS technology into the system to precisely track shipment locations, ensuring optimal route planning and minimising delivery delays.

Speaking about the contract, Ashish Agarwal, Co-Founder & CTO, Ingen Tech, “We are honoured to have been chosen by the Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department for this crucial project. SecuTrak is poised to revolutionize logistics management across various sectors, including agriculture, dairy, fleet, courier, cargo, railways, and SMEs. Our advanced GPS-based tracking solutions will ensure the efficient and transparent distribution of food grains under the NFSA, ultimately benefiting millions of citizens.”

In addition to providing GPS devices, Ingen Tech will develop and deploy a comprehensive software solution, including device applications and a Management Information System (MIS) portal. The software will facilitate route configuration between FCI godowns and Fair Price Shops, geo-fence key storage locations and routes, and enable seamless monitoring and reporting of vehicle movement.

The partnership will innovate solutions aimed at

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India

Manufacturers/traders may consider lifting FCI rice under OMSS which may be sold to the consumers with a reasonable margin.

In order to review the domestic price scenario of non-basmati rice, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Sanjeev Chopra convened a meeting in New Delhi with the leading Rice processing industry representatives.

It was discussed in the meeting that the domestic prices of rice are increasing despite a good crop this Kharif, ample stocks with FCI and in the pipeline and various regulations in place on Rice exports. The rice industry needs to ensure that the prices in the domestic market need to be brought down to optimal levels and efforts at profiteering dealt with strictly. The Annual Inflation Rate of Rice is hovering around 12 per cent for past two years and is cumulating over the years which is a cause of concern.

During the meeting, it was discussed that the benefit of lower prices has to be passed on expeditiously to the end consumers. The leading Rice Industry Associations were advised to take up the issue with their members and ensure that the retail price of Rice is reduced with immediate effect. There are reports of a sharp increase in the margins being availed by wholesalers and retailers which needs to be tempered. Besides, it was suggested that where there exists a wide gap between the MRP and actual retail Price, the same needs to be brought down to a realistic level in order to safeguard the interest of the consumers.

FCI informed the Rice processing industry that sufficient stock of good quality Rice is available which is being offered under OMSS at a reserve price of Rs. 29/Kg. It was also suggested that manufacturers/traders may consider lifting FCI rice under OMSS which may be sold to the consumers with a reasonable margin.

The Department of Food & Public Distribution closely monitors and reviews the prices of Rice in the country and steps in whenever any intervention is required to ensure affordability of Rice which forms an important part of the diet. The Indian consumers thus can expect to pay less for Rice in the coming days.

Manufacturers/traders may consider lifting FCI rice under

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

Centre brings down the reserve price by Rs 200 per qtl and the effective price will be Rs 2900 per Qtl.

Government of India has decided that Food Corporation of India (FCI)shall offload 50 LMT of wheat and 25 LMT of rice in open market in a phased manner under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic)[OMSS(D)] for sale through E-auction. Keeping in view the experience of the past 5 e-auctions for rice by FCI, it has been decided that the reserve price will be brought down by Rs 200/Qtl and the effective price now will be Rs 2900/Qtl. The cost on account of reduction in the reserve price will be borne from the Price Stabilization Fund maintained by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

As on 7.8.2023 in one year, the wheat prices have gone up by 6.77 per cent in retail market and 7.37 per cent in wholesale market. Similarly, the rice prices in retail market have gone up by 10.63 per cent and 11.12 per cent in wholesale market.

Keeping in view the benefit of over 140 crore citizens of the country, Government of India has taken this decision to offer wheat and rice under OMSS(D) to private parties for increasing availability, moderate the rise in market prices and control food inflation. However, it is relevant to mention that Government is also providing foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries as per their entitlement free of cost as committed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PM-GKAY) w.e.f. 1st January, 2023.

Stocks are offloaded under OMSS(D) from time to time to achieve multiple objectives including, inter-alia, disposal of excess stocks, reducing the carrying cost of foodgrains, enhance supply of foodgrains during lean season & deficit regions and to moderate the market prices. In the calendar year 2023, wheat & rice are being offloaded by FCI in a phased manner as per reserve prices fixed by GoI.

Centre brings down the reserve price by

AgroPolicy

FCI celebrates its 58th Foundation Day

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) recently celebrated its 58th Foundation Day where Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry was present along with Minister of State Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti.

“Today, FCI procures nearly 1,300 LMT of wheat and paddy annually against nearly 13 LMT procured during 1965. Similarly, distribution across the country has increased from about 18LMT in 1965 to nearly 600 LMT. Even the storage capacity from 6 LMT in 1965 has increased to over 800 LMT now,” Goyal said.

Goyal mentioned five mantras for FCI’s success:

  • Change the public perception of FCI from being inefficient and corrupt to dynamic, inclusive and honest.
  • Focus on integrating end-to-end tech solutions right from procurement to delivery to achieve operational efficiency and leakage-free, distribution – reduce PDS response time, beneficiary tracking etc.
  • Establish a grievance redressal mechanism to react rapidly to farmer/Farmer Producer Organisation in distress. Reaching out to farmers through “Jan Jagrukta” programmes at the grass-root level to spread awareness.
  • Plan for modern infrastructure and logistics. 
  •  Upgrade warehouses to international standards. Improve storage capacity for the growing need- Power backup, CCTV, robust network facility.

On this occasion, Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary (Food) also addressed the officers and officials of FCI and applauded the transformation efforts being made by FCI, especially the recent initiatives to ensure transparency and enhanced efficiency which includes the introduction of HRMS of Employees, Bill Tracking System, Depot Online System, Enhancement of capacity by increasing Stack sizes, Asset Monetization, Age Testing of Rice and Direct Benefit Transfer of MSP to farmers account.

FCI celebrates its 58th Foundation DayThe Food