Govt procures 36 million tonne rice since Oct, purchases up 24% on year.

The central government has procured 36.0 million tonne rice so far in the 2016-17 (Oct-Sep) marketing year, up 24% on year. The Centre is buying rice from farmers at MSP of 1,470 rupees per 100 kg. Procurement has been the highest in Punjab, where the government has purchased 11.1 million tonne of the food grain, up 18.2% on year. In Chhattisgarh, 4.7 million tonne rice procured so far, up 35.4% on year, and in Haryana government bought 3.6 million tonne rice, up 25.2% from a year ago. About 141,302 tonne rice has been procured in Tamil Nadu so far, down 86.2% from a year ago. Procurement has been higher year-on-year in most states as India rice output in 2016-17 (Jul-Jun) is estimated at a record high of 109.15 million tonne.