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In Guwahati, Assam, the goal for buying rice (paddy) in the 2023-24 season is 7,01,200 tons. This is less than last year's target of 10,89,750 tons. But last year, only 598126.99 tons were bought, helping 62,423 farmers. This year, there will be four groups buying the rice, not six like last year.
Last season, six groups - FCI, AFCSCL, ASAMB, NACOF, NAFED, and NCCF - had 272 places to buy rice across Assam. But this year, two groups - NACOF and NCCF - won't be buying rice. Also, there will be fewer buying places, only 158 compared to 272 last time.
Dhrubajyoti Maral from AFCSCL told The Sentinel that last year the price for rice was Rs 2040 for every 100 kg. This year it's more - Rs 2183. Last season, six groups bought rice from 272 places. This time, only four groups will buy, and from only 158 places. The buying starts on December 1, 2023, and places will be ready by December 15. More places might open if needed.
Here's what each group will buy: AFCSCL aims to buy 5,20,200 tons from 121 places, NAFED will buy 1,00,000 tons from 17 places, FCI wants 76,000 tons from 15 places, and ASAMB plans to buy 5,000 tons from 5 places. Last season, FCI bought 1,94,265.8 tons from 19,331 farmers, AFCSCL got 3,48,883.29 tons from 36,852 farmers, ASAMB bought 4,461.28 tons from 520 farmers, NACOF got 5,614.3 tons from 651 farmers, NAFED bought 38,993.87 tons from 4,537 farmers, and NCCF got 5,908.45 tons from 532 farmers.
The Kharif Marketing Season has two parts: the first crop with common rice, and the second crop with Boro rice.
