Food Corporation of India – FCI – Full Form, Grains Procurement & Headquarters

To begin with, in this article, we have mainly focused on the Food Corporation of India. So, let us learn all things related to the Food Corporation of India. Further, we have added all information like FCI full form, FCI headquarters, food grains procurement, and other related information. Therefore, read the complete article and know what FCI is? Also, try to note down all essential points while reading the below article. It will help you with the exam preparations.

Introduction

In the first place, Food Corporation of India is a statutory corporation created and run by the Government of India. Further, it is under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India formed by enacting the Food Corporation Act, 1964. Additionally, the FCI headquarters is in New Delhi.

The Chairman handles the Food Corporation of India, and it operates through its many depots located across the country. Further, the depot reports to the divisional office, which an Assistant General Manager leads. Besides, all managers are in charge of various activities like sales, contracts, procurement, quality control, operations account.

Operations

The FCI gets rice and wheat directly from the farmers through many ways like paddy being purchased from centers or mills and stores them in depots. Further, it maintains various types of depots like food storage depots and buffers storage, and private godowns. Besides, they are also stored in the latest facilities like which are located in Uttar Pradesh, Malur in Karnataka, and Tamilnadu. Later, all the stocks are transported throughout t India by means of railways, roadways, and waterways. Further, they are issued to the state government nominees at the rates declared by the Government of India for further distribution. They have distributed under PDS fir the use of the ration cardholders.

FCI will not distribute stocks under PDS. Further, FCI will not any decision by itself and it will not decide anything related to the MSP. It only implements the decisions that are made by the  Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Click here for more details on the same and take down all important points.

Further, in our other article, we have added complete details of the MSP, even it is essential for the IAS exam. So, click here and get the complete information.

What is FCI?

The FCI is divided into the following five zones:

1. North
2. South
3. East
4. West
5. North-East

All the zones own zonal offices. Further, under  Zonal offices are the regional offices which an Executive Director heads. The director was selected from the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Revenue Service.

Further, food security has four main pillars.

1. Availability – food items should be available in enough quantity at all times and at all places.
2. Affordability – according to this food items should be affordable. It means people should have economic access to buy food.
3. Absorption – all the food items should be safe and nutritious, which effects body in healthy way.
4. Stability – the food system should be reasonably stable, as high volatility in food systems adversely affects the poor and endangers the stability of political and social systems.

Objectives of Food Corporation of India

• In the first place, it is responsible to provide remunerative prices to farmers. Further, to help ransforming the crisis management oriented food security. 
• Besides, distribution of foodgrains through a Public Distribution Systems
• Further, ensuring food security of the nation by maintaining satisfactory level of operational buffer stocks of food grains.

Functions

Functions of FCI

• In the first place, to get foodgrains
• Further, to Maintain operational stock and buffer stock for the food security
• Allocation of grains to state
• Selling grains to state at ‘Central Issue Price’
• Distributing and transporting grains to state

Activities taken by the FCI

In the first place, the central government extends price support to procure wheat, paddy, and coarse grains through the FCI and State Agencies. Further, it supports for the

1. Under DCP, which was introduced in 1997-98, all food grains are procured and distributed by the State Governments themselves. 
2. Further, under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), store and issue food grains.
3. Besides, the Quality Control Division of FCI makes sure that procurement of food grains from procurement centers is strictly in accordance with the Govt of India.

Latest Developments of Food Corporation of India

Further, below we have added some of the latest developments in the Food Corporation of India. The food subsidy is given to the Food Corporation of India be revised to Rs 3,44,077 crore from the original amount of Rs 77,983 crore allocated in the Union Budget 2021.

• Revision of the MSP Policy – HLC suggests that pulses and oilseeds should also be in the MSP category. Currently, MSP for 23 commodities was announced with wheat and rice have given priority. Further, the MSP is applicable in only selected states.
• Negotiable warehouse receipt system – a warehouse receipt system must be flexible to assist farmers in depositing their produce at the registered warehouses.
• Procurement – The committee recommended that all procurement made by the FCI should be handed over to the states.
• HLC suggested that the government should look at the coverage under the NFSA as it’s on the ‘higher’ side.

Public Distribution System

Further, the Public Distribution System, which focuses on the distribution of food grains in urban scarcity areas, from the critical food shortages of the 1960s. Further, it also contributed to the rise in food grain prices and ensured access to food to urban consumers. Besides, it is not intended to make the entire requirement of any of the food grains distributed under it to a household

Government Initiative

The Government of India set up a High-Level Committee. Further, the Chairman of HLC is  Shri Shanta Kumar, intending to improve its operational efficiency and financial management. Besides, for the overall improvements in the direction of foodgrains. Moreover, to suggest cost-effective models for the storage and movement of grains and integration of the supply chain of foodgrains in the country.

National Food Security Act, 2013

In the first place, it provides for all India coverage. Further, up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population of the country for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains. In 2013, there was a shift in the approach to food security from welfare to a rights-based approach. Besides, about two-thirds of the population is covered under this act and receives highly foodgrains.

Conclusion – Food Corporation of India

In summary, the article will give you all information related to the Food Corporation of India. Further, understand all details like FCI full form, FCI headquarters, food grains procurement, and other related information. We have added information like objectives and latest developments. Further, it is essential for the exams like IAS and other competitive examinations. Concepts like these are essential to understand for the exam. Many platforms will help you in providing all details. Instead of reading many times, when you read for the first time, try to note down important points and revise regularly. It will help you during the exam. Later, for more details on the exam like exam syllabus, patterns, books, tips, and other essential details. Read More. While reading the articles, try to make note of all the essential points.

FAQs – Food Corporation of India

Lastly, below we have added a few FAQs on the food grains procurement.