Centre relaxes procurement norms for shrivelled, broken wheat grains

What is the News?

The Government of India has announced relaxations for the procurement of shrunken and shrivelled grains in Punjab and Haryana. 

What is the issue?

Due to extreme heatwaves in the northern part of the country in March, the grain quality suffers so much that the percentage of shrivelled (to become smaller, especially because of dry conditions) grains in the freshly harvested crop sees a manifold increase.

Experts have pointed out that while shrivelled grain yields less flour, it does not lose its nutritional value. Hence, it is fit for human consumption.

What is the maximum permissible limit prescribed by FCI for of shrivelled grains?

As per the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the maximum permissible limit of shrivelled grains is up to 6%.

However, the shrivelled grain percentage during this period is between 12% to 18%. Due to this, farmers have been facing heavy losses.

Hence, the farmers have urged the Centre to raise the maximum permissible limit of shrivelled and broken grains to 20%.

What has the Government of India done?

The government has raised the maximum permissible limit of “shrivelled and broken grains” to 18% from the existing 6% without any value cut.

This would protect the interests of farmers and promote efficient procurement and distribution of food grains.

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre relaxes procurement norms for shrivelled, broken wheat grains” published in Indian Express on 15th May 2022.