Buoyant over the various estimates on wheat production and procurement, Food Corporation of India (FCI) CMD Ashok Kumar Meena on Friday said that in view of better than expected wheat production, estimates and government’s assurance to support farmers in view of unexpected rains, FCI has already procured 7 lakh metric tonnes of wheat as on date and is well-poised to procure 342 lakh tonnes 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 remains stable, despite global headwinds. We have support of higher production estimates too with us,” said Meena.
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 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 Federation has predicted the wheat production of 102.89 Lac tons, reduced from 104.24 Lac tons due to unseasonal rains and hail storm faced by wheat producing states towards the end of March, 2023.
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, 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 spoil sport in the record production that we were expecting, however higher acreage and yield is expected to create 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 prefer Indian wheat atta,” he said.