Agri Nation Network

New Delhi | 08 May 2017

NAFED has done record procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds during the year 2016-17. It procured more than 8.76 Lakh MT of Pulses (Gram 0.20 Lakh MTs, Masoor 0.03 Lakh MTs, Moong 1.29 Lakh MTs, Urad 0.59 MTs and Toor 6.65 Lakh MTs) and more than 2.20 Lakh MTs of Groundnut, Copra and other oilseeds, helping the country in creating buffer stocks and stabilizing the prices of Pulses and Oilseeds. A substantial quantity from buffer stock would be supplied to Para-military and Defence forces. While to state govt the supplies will be per their requirements under PDS and other such schemes. Consequently, the procurement agency has positioned itself as the ‘Pulse Arm’ of the government.

According to the release, “NAFED procured various commodities worth Rs 5916 cr in 2016-17 and earned profit of almost Rs 106.00 crore which is the highest in the last decade and has helped agency’s turn around financially”.

Procurement of Rabi oilseeds and pulses, such as mustard seeds, sunflower seeds, gram, masoor etc. has started and NAFED has already procured 2.95 lakh tonnes up to April 30, 2017.

Central government is also expected to release financial package for NAFED, a government agency responsible for procurement of pulses and oilseeds.  The official release said, “A financial package is under active consideration of the Government of India and it is likely that a Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) note would be placed in May 2017 for approval of the Cabinet”.

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