FCI to procure 15.60 lakh metric tonnes of fortified rice from Andhra Pradesh
The Hindu
FCI General Manager Amaresh Kumar says a total target of 23.60 lakh MT of fortified rice is to be procured from Andhra Pradesh.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has chalked out plans to procure 15.60 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) of fortified rice from Andhra Pradesh this year: six lakh MT during Kharif and 9.60 lakh MT during the Rabi season. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had launched the programme for distribution of Fortified Rice (having three micronutrients – folic acid, iron and vitamin B-12) to children and lactating mothers.
As part of it, the FCI was asked to come up with a comprehensive plan to scale up the annual supply of fortified rice. Subsequently, the procurement plans were prepared.
FCI General Manager Amaresh Kumar says a total target of 23.60 lakh MT of fortified rice is to be procured from Andhra Pradesh. Of this, A.P. State Civil Supplies Corporation will procure 9.02 lakh MT. The remaining would be procured by the FCI.
A crowd comprising farmers, researchers, professors, students, and horticulture enthusiasts thronged the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, on Friday for the inaugural ceremony of the Triphal Diversity Show which showcased 300 mango, 100 jackfruit, and 100 banana genotypes in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli.
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