Centre aims to procure 2.6 million tonnes millets in next Kharif marketing season

livemint.com:

The Centre aims to procure 2.6 million tonnes (mt) coarse grains or millets in the coming 2023-24 Kharif marketing season and distribute 2.2 mt.  A comprehensive strategy to increase the procurement of coarse grains was discussed and formulated during a conference of all states’ and union territories’ ministers under the chairmanship of Union food minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today.   “This strategic focus on coarse grains or millets reflects a broader objective to strengthen the nutritional security of the beneficiaries. It is projected that a total of 26.14 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of coarse grains would be procured in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-2024, while the expected distribution would be 22.31 LMT," an official statement said.  The food department highlighted the scale of, and reforms in, procurement process of foodgrains which is key to providing food security and stability to domestic prices of foodgrains.  A millet exhibition showcasing various millet products was held on the side-lines of the conference to promote consumption of the coarse grains.  Appreciating the efforts of the State and UT governments for procuring and distribution of foodgrains, Goyal said they should work together with the Centre in the spirit of cooperative federalism.