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HomePosts Tagged "wheat" (Page 2)
AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

15 LMT of Wheat to be offloaded in the first phase from central pool stock under Open Market Sale Scheme

In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the Government of India has decided to impose stock limits on the Wheat applicable to Traders/Wholesaler, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors for all States and Union Territories. The Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023 has been issued with immediate effect from 12th June 2023 and will be applicable until 31st March 2024 for all States and Union Territories.

Stock limits will be applied to each entity individually such as Traders/Wholesaler- 3000 MT; Retailer-  10 MT for each of the Retail outlets; Big Chain Retailer- 10 MT for each outlet and 3000 MT at all their depots and Processors- 75 per cent of annual installed capacity. Respective legal entities, as above, have to declare the stocks position and update them regularly on the portal (https://evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login) of the Department of Food and Public Distribution and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limit then they have to bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 30 days of issue of this notification. 

Further, Central Government has also decided to offload the Wheat wherein 15 LMT of Wheat will be offloaded in the first phase from central pool stock under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS (D)) 2023 to flour mills/private traders/bulk buyers/manufacturers of wheat products through e-auction to control retail prices of wheat. Wheat will be sold in lot sizes of 10-100 MT. Registration for this auction is open on the FCI’s e-auction platform.

It has also been decided to offload rice under OMSS in order to moderate the prices. The quantity for the first phase of the e-auction for rice will be decided shortly.

The imposition of stock limits on Wheat along with offloading of Wheat and Rice under OMSS is part of the consistent efforts made by the Government to stabilise the prices of essential commodities. The Department of Food and Public Distribution is closely monitoring the stock position of Wheat and rice to control the prices and ensure easy availability in the country.

15 LMT of Wheat to be offloaded

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Sustainability

The combined Stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool stands at over 579 LMT

Wheat procurement during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24 has progressed smoothly. The progressive procurement of wheat in the current season till 30 May is 262 Lakh Metric tons (LMT) which has already surpassed last year’s total procurement of 188 LMT by 74 LMT. About 21.27 Lakh farmers have already benefitted from the ongoing wheat procurement operations with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) outflow of about Rs. 47,000 crores. Major contribution in the procurement has come from three procuring states of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana with procurement of 121.27 LMT, 70.98 LMT and 63.17 LMT respectively.

The major contributing factors in healthy procurement this year have been the grant of relaxation by the Government of India in quality specifications of wheat affected due to untimely rains; opening of procurement centres at village/ panchayat level; carrying out procurement through Co-operative Societies/ Gram Panchayats/ Arhatias etc. in addition to designated procurement centres for better outreach and permission to engage FPOs for procurement operations.

The rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 385 LMT of rice has been procured till 30 May during the Kharif crop of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 with another 110 LMT yet to be procured. Further, a quantity of 106 LMT rice has been estimated to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.

The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool is over 579 LMT (Wheat 312 LMT and Rice 267 LMT) which has placed the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains.

The combined Stock position of wheat and

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses

The production of wheat and rice is estimated to increase by 5 and 6 metric tonnes respectively

The food grain production of India in 2023 is estimated to reach a record 330.5 million tonnes from 315.6 MT with a record production of wheat, rice, maize, oilseeds and sugarcane, according to the third advance estimate of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The production of wheat during 2023 is estimated at 112.7 metric tonnes, up by 5 metric tonnes from a year ago. The production of rice is estimated at 135.5 metric tonnes which is increased by 6 metric tonnes as compared to the previous year. 

The production of maize during 2023 is estimated at 35.9 metric tonnes, which is up by 2.1 metric tonnes from the previous year.

The production of nutri and coarse cereals is estimated at 54.7 metric tonnes, 3.6 metric tonnes higher than the previous year’s production. Production of sugarcane is estimated at 494.2 metric tonnes, 54.8 metric tonnes higher than the previous year. Production of pulses is estimated at 27.5 metric tonnes in 2023.  

The production of soybean and mustard is estimated at 14.9 metric tonnes and 12.4 metric tonnes respectively, which is increased by 1.9 metric tonnes and 0.5 metric tonnes respectively than the last year’s production. The oilseeds production of India during 2023 is estimated at 40.9 metric tonnes. Cotton production is estimated at 34.3 million bales (170 kg each).

The production of wheat and rice is

Dairy, Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses, Vegetables, World

FAO Food Price Index increases, amid higher international quotations for sugar, meat and rice, while prices for wheat, maize, dairy products and vegetable oils decline

The benchmark index of international food commodity prices rose in April for the first time in a year, amid increases in world quotations for sugar, meat and rice, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, averaged 127.2 points in April 2023, up 0.6 per cent from March.

At that level, the Index was 19.7 per cent below its level in April 2022, but still 5.2 per cent higher than in April 2021.

The FAO Sugar Price Index rose 17.6 per cent from March, reaching its highest level since October 2011, due to reduced productions expectations and outcomes in India, China, Thailand and the European Union caused by dry weather conditions as well as to a slow start of the sugarcane crop harvest in Brazil, along with higher international crude oil prices, which can increase demand for sugarcane-based ethanol.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose 1.3 per cent during the month, driven primarily by higher pig meat quotations, followed by poultry prices, which increased amid Asian import demand and production curbs spurred by animal health issues. International bovine meat prices also increased due to a decline in cattle supplies for slaughter, especially in the United States of America.

In the meantime, price indices for other major food commodity categories, with the exception of rice, continued their declining trend.

The FAO Cereal Price Index dipped 1.7 per cent from March and averaged 19.8 per cent below its April 2022 value. International wheat prices declined by 2.3 per cent, due mostly to large exportable availabilities in Australia and the Russian Federation. World maize prices fell 3.2 per cent as supplies in South America seasonally increased with ongoing harvests. On the other hand, against a backdrop of reduced harvests caused by higher input costs and adverse weather, especially outside of Asia, sales to Asian buyers sustained an increase in international rice prices.

“It is important that we continue to track very closely the evolution of prices and the reasons for increases in prices. As economies recover from significant slowdowns, demand will increase, exerting upward pressure on food prices,” said Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist. “At the same time, the increase in rice prices is extremely worrisome and it is essential that the Black Sea initiative is renewed to avoid any other spikes in wheat and maize,” he added.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 1.3 per cent in the month, registering its fifth consecutive monthly decline. World palm oil prices were stable, while quotations for soy, rapeseed and sunflower oils declined in step with seasonal harvest pressure from a potentially record soybean crop in Brazil.

The FAO Dairy Price Index dropped by 1.7 per cent, impacted by the persistent slack global import demand for milk powders and higher cheese export availabilities in Western Europe.

FAO Food Price Index increases, amid higher

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Sustainability

A quantity of 354 LMT of rice has been procured

During the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS), 195 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat have been procured surpassing procurement done in 2022-23. This has largely benefited the farmers. In RMS 2022-23, the procurement was 188 LMT.
 
MSP outflow of about 41 thousand 148 crores has already been made to about 14.96 lakh farmers during the ongoing wheat procurement operations. Major contribution in the procurement has come from three wheat-procuring States of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
One of the major factors, contributing to the progressive procurement this year, is the grant of relaxation by the Government in quality specifications of wheat being procured, in view of untimely rains leading to lustre loss. This will reduce the hardship of farmers and check any distressed sales.
The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry said, rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 354 LMT of rice has been procured till now.

In addition, rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 354 LMT of rice has been procured till 26.04.2023 during the Kharif crop of KMS 2022-23 with another 140 LMT yet to be procured. Further, a quantity of 106 LMT rice has been estimated to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.

The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool has surpassed 510 LMT which puts the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains. With the ongoing procurement of wheat and rice, the food grains stock levels are on the rise in Government granaries.

A quantity of 354 LMT of rice

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

Wheat production is to be higher by 5% this year

Buoyant over the various estimates on wheat production and procurement, Ashok Kumar Meena, Chairman & Managing Director, of Food Corporation of India said that in view of better-than-expected wheat production, estimates and the government’s assurance to support farmers in view of unexpected rains, FCI has already procured 7 lakh tons of wheat as on date and is well-poised to procure 342 lakh tons of wheat in this year.

“It is important for all of us – government and the private sector to work together to ensure that prices of wheat and atta remain stable, despite global headwinds. We have the support of higher production estimates too with us,” said Meena.

Echoing the sentiments, Subodh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India said that the estimates of both ministry and private sector are signalling higher wheat production this year, despite the impact of unseasonal rains and hailstorm in March-April, 2023.

They were addressing the 1st Extra Ordinary General Meeting and Board of Directors Meet of Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India, wherein a survey report on ‘Wheat Crop & Production Estimates for the Crop Year 2022-23’ was also unveiled.

The Survey report prepared by Agri Watch on behalf of the Federation has predicted wheat production of 102.89 million tons, reduced from 104.24 million tons (estimated in March 2023) due to unseasonal rains and hail storms faced by wheat-producing states towards the end of March. The estimates are based on the survey conducted in two phases across 9 states (80 districts) – Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. 

Speaking on occasion, Pramod Kumar S, President, of the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India requested the government to lift the ban on wheat products export on account of higher estimates and sufficient buffer stock.

“Though the unexpected rains and hailstorm have played spoilsport in the record production that we were expecting, however higher acreage and yield are expected to create a comfortable situation for the country. Hence, we request the government to consider lifting the ban on wheat export, so that we could support the large Indian diaspora that always prefers Indian wheat atta,” he said.  

“In order to avoid the past situations wherein the absence of data led to the fluctuation of wheat prices, we have come up with this survey. It will help both the industry and government to plan the future course of action as well as measures to control the prices,” said Navneet Chitlangia, Senior Vice President of the Federation who was also present during the press conference.

Wheat production is to be higher by

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain, Sustainability

Till the 5th e-auction, 28.86 LMT wheat stock has been sold

As a part of Govt of India’s initiative for market intervention to control the price of wheat and atta, in the sequel of weekly e-auctions of wheat, the 6th e-auction was conducted by the Food Corporation of India. A total quantity of 10.69 LMT of wheat was offered from 611 depots across 23 Regions of FCI and 4.91 LMT of wheat has been sold to 970 bidders.

In the 6th e-auction, against the all-India weighted average reserve price of Rs. 2140.46/qtl, the weighted average selling price received was Rs 2214.32 /qtl. In the 6th e- auction Quantities ranging from 100 to 499 MT had maximum demand followed by quantities of 500-999 MT followed by the 50-100 MT quantity bracket.

Till the 5th e-auction, 28.86 LMT wheat stock has been sold against which 23.30 LMT has been lifted.

After the 6th e-auction, the cumulative sale of wheat under OMSS (D) has touched 33.77 LMT against the overall allocation of 45 LMT. The sale has brought a significant effect in cooling down the price of wheat and atta all over the country which is likely to remain stabilised with the future tenders for the open sale of wheat under OMSS.

Till the 5th e-auction, 28.86 LMT wheat

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, People, Supply Chain, Sustainability

Besides, the flour mills were advised to bring down the prices of atta and other products in line with the reduction in market prices of wheat.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) may offload an additional quantity of 20 LMT of wheat in the open market under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) 2023 for sale through e-auction to flour mills, private traders, bulk buyers and manufacturers of wheat products like previous years. So far 50 LMT of wheat have been decided to offload under OMSS 

The reduction in reserve price along with the additional offloading of 20 LMT of wheat will collectively help in reducing the market price of wheat and wheat products for consumers.

Secretary, DFPD held a Video Conference meeting with the FCI and the representatives of flour millers, associations, federations, atta and suji product manufacturers to review the lifting of stocks in the second auction conducted under OMSS 2023.

Besides, the flour mills were advised to bring down the prices of atta and other products in line with the reduction in market prices of wheat.

Besides, the flour mills were advised to

Foodgrains, India, Seeds, Sustainability

Farmers in India sow 620.62 lakh hectares of Rabi Crops.

Union farm ministry data showed that farmers in India have sown rabi crops across 620.62 lakh hectares as of now, an increase of 4.4 per cent year-on-year from the previous cropping season, during the same period last year, the total cropland was 594.62 lakh hectares. 

The increase in crop area is across all crops with the highest in wheat. Out of the 25.99 lakh hectares increase in all rabi crops, the increase in wheat area is 9.65 lakh hectares from 302.61 to 312.26 lakh hectares. 

Though the sowing of rabi crops is still under progress, the area brought under wheat this year (312.26) till 23-12-2022 is more than the normal rabi sown area (304.47) and the total sown area of last year (304.70). 

The agriculture ministry said the production of wheat is also expected to rise this year. 

The ministry said a timely supply of quality seeds is necessary to increase agricultural production and productivity.

Farmers in India sow 620.62 lakh hectares

India

ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research project ‘Breeding high yielding wheat genotypes for stress conditions of warmer regions of India’ on heat-tolerant varieties.

The government aims to promote the use of heat-resistant varieties amongst the farmers through public and private partnership and providing seed directly to the farmers. To promote the use of these varieties, the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barely Research (IIWBR), Karnal under ICAR has signed 250 Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) for DBW 187 and 191 MoAs for DBW 222 with private companies for seed production. The institute has distributed more than 2500 quintal seeds of DBW 187 and 1,250 quintal seeds of DBW 222 during the crop season, 2021-22.

The ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research project entitled “Breeding high yielding wheat genotypes for stress conditions of warmer regions of India” on heat tolerant varieties. Besides, ICAR-IIWBR Karnal is also collaborating with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico on development of climate resilient wheat varieties.

The wheat varieties DBW187 and DBW222 have been found superior over HD-3086 as far as heat tolerance is concerned. During the crop season 2021-22, the varieties namely DBW187 and DBW222 have shown heat tolerance with yield gain of 3.6 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively as compared to HD-3086. The variety PBW 803 developed by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana is suitable for irrigated timely sown condition and resistant to brown rust as well as moderately resistant to stripe rust. This variety is not recommended as heat-tolerant variety.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. 

ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Oilseeds, Pulses

The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (Masur) at Rs 500 per quintal followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 400 per quintal.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2023-24.

Government has increased the MSP of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2023-24, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce.  The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (Masur) at Rs 500 per quintal followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs.400 per quintal.  For safflower, an increase of Rs.209 per quintal has been approved.  For wheat, gram and barley an increase of Rs110 per quintal, Rs 100 per quintal respectively has been approved.

The increase in MSP for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2023-24 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at lease 1.5 times of the All-India weighted average Cost of Production, aiming at reasonably fair remuneration for the farmers.  The maximum rate of return is 104 percent for rapeseed & mustard, followed by 100 percent for wheat, 85 per cent for lentil; 66 per cent for gram; 60 per cent for barley; and 50 per cent for safflower.

From the year 2014-15, there has been a renewed focus on increasing the production of oilseeds and pulses.  The efforts have yielded good results.  Oilseeds production has increased from 27.51 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 37.70 million tonnes in 2021-22 (4th advance estimates).  Pulses production has shown similar increasing trend.  The ‘Seed Mini kits programme’ is a major tool for introducing new varieties of seeds in the farmers’ fields and is instrumental for increasing the seed replacement rate.

The productivity of pulses and oilseeds have increased substantially since 2014-15.  In case of pulses productivity has been increased from 728 kg/ha (2014-15) to 892 kg/ha (4th Advance estimates, 2021-22) i.e., 22.53 per cent increase.  Similarly, in oilseed crops productivity has been increased from 1075 kg/ha (2014-15) to 1292 kg/ha (4th Advance estimates, 2021-22).

The absolute highest increase in MSP has

Europe

The Seed Vault currently holds 1,165,041 seed varieties, with capacity for millions more

The Ambassador of Mexico to Norway, Ulises Canchola Gutiérrez, delivers a deposit from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. CIMMYT is the ninth depositor in the Seed Vault in 2022, with a contribution of 263 accessions of maize and 3,548 accession of wheat.

“Professionally, I am pleased to carry out this activity that contributes to the conservation of genetic resources and guarantees food security of two of the major crops that feed the world,” said Rocio Quiroz, assistant research associate at CIMMYT. “When we prepare a shipment as a team, it is extraordinary because we contribute to the perpetuity of each accession deposited in the vault. Very few people have the privilege of doing so.” In 2020, CIMMYT was the largest contributor, providing 173,779 maize and wheat accessions from 131 countries.

Owned by Norway and managed in partnership between the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, NordGen and the Crop Trust, the Seed Vault currently holds 1,165,041 seed varieties, with capacity for millions more.

The Seed Vault currently holds 1,165,041 seed

AgroPolicy, Trade

Directs to physically verify all documents of applicants for the export of wheat before issuing Registration Certificates

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has directed Regional Authorities to physically verify all documents of applicants for the export of wheat before issuing Registration Certificates (RCs). The order has been issued to ensure that the exporters are not issued RCs based on improper documents.

In order to plug the loophole, it has been decided that regional authorities will do a physical verification of all Letters of Credit, whether already approved or under process. Wherever necessary, the help of a professional agency may be taken for such verification, the order adds. 

The order lays down the following further checks:

1. Validation/endorsement by Recipient Bank to be ensured while doing physical verification

2. In cases where the LC date is on or before May 13, 2022, but the swift message/message exchange date between the Indian and Foreign bank is after May 13, 2022, regional authorities may conduct a full investigation and if these are found to be antedated, immediate proceedings under FT (D&R) Act, 1992 to be initiated against the exporters. Such cases are to be further examined by referring to enforcement agencies like the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) / Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In case of the complicity of any Banker in cases where ante-dating is established, necessary proceedings as per law will be initiated.

The Government of India had earlier (on 13th May 2022) restricted wheat exports to manage the overall food security situation in India and to support the needs of neighbouring and vulnerable countries that are adversely affected by the sudden changes in the global market for wheat and are unable to access adequate wheat supplies. 

Directs to physically verify all documents of

AgroPolicy

Wheat procurement in RMS 2022-23 has so far benefitted 17.50 lakh farmers with an MSP value of Rs 37,192.07 Crore

The Food Ministry has recently announced that the government of India has procured 184.58 lakh tonnes of wheat at an MSP value of Rs 37,192.07 crore so far in the ongoing 2022-23 rabi marketing year, benefitting 17.50 lakh farmers.

According to the ministry, 96.16 lakh tonnes of wheat have been procured in Punjab, 44.45 lakh tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 40.97 lakh tonnes in Haryana, 2.84 lakh tonnes in Uttar Pradesh till May 29 of the current marketing year.

Upto May 29, 2022 a quantity of 184.58 LMT of wheat has been procured, benefiting about 17.50 Lakh farmers with MSP value of Rs 37,192.07 crore.

Paddy procurement under central pool is progressing smoothly in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021-22, in various procuring States/ UTs.

Upto May 29, 2022, a quantity of 810.05 LMT of Paddy (includes Kharif Crop 754.69 LMT and Rabi Crop 55.37 LMT) has been procured, benefiting 117.05 Lakh farmers with MSP value of Rs 1,58,770.64 crore.

The wheat procurement target has been revised downward to 195 lakh tonnes for the current year from the earlier 444 lakh tonnes due to a fall in wheat output and increased exports.

Wheat procurement in RMS 2022-23 has so