Centre revises Guidelines for procurement, allocation, distribution and disposal of coarse grains.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on 9^th December 2021 has amended the guidelines for procurement, allocation, distribution and disposal of coarse grains, in order to increase procurement/consumption of coarse grains through Public Distribution System.

Highlights from the revised guidelines.

1. Provision of inter-state transportation of surplus coarse grains through Food Corporation of India (FCI) is incorporated to cater for advance demand placed by consuming state before the start of procurement.
2. New guidelines would increase procurement/consumption of coarse grains through Public Distribution System (PDS).  As these crops are normally grown on marginal and un-irrigated land, therefore, enhanced cropping of these would encourage sustainable agriculture and crop diversification.  With the increased procurement, number of farmers benefitting from the procurement of these crops, would also increase.
3. Marginal and poor farmers who are also PDS beneficiaries will gain due to procurement and then distribution of millets at Rs.1 per kg.  Region specific coarse grains can be distributed for local consumption saving transportation cost of wheat/rice.
4. Coarse grains are highly nutritive, non-acid-forming, gluten-free and having dietary properties. Besides, to strengthen our fight against malnutrition in children and adolescents, consumption of coarse grains would help to foster immunity and health.