Govt has 170,802 quintals of food grains in stock: Secretary Marasini

KATHMANDU: The government currently has a three-month supply of food grains in stock.

Speaking at the meeting of the Industry, Commerce, Labor, and Consumer Interest Committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, revealed that the government has 170,802 quintals of food grains in its stockpile. “We have already initiated the process to procure paddy. Additionally, we have requested for the import of one million tons of paddy and 100,000 tons of rice,” Marasini stated.

India has imposed an export ban on some food commodities, including rice, until further notice.

Marasini also said that the government has launched programs to market food grains produced in remote mountainous districts. “The Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) has signed agreements with seven local units in three districts of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces to procure indigenous crops grown there,” he added.

According to Marasini, the FMTC has already procured 263 kg of foxtail millet, 223 kg of quinoa, 1,900 kg of buckwheat, and 1,088 kg of beans from three local units in Humla.

“We have supplied 4,000 quintals of rice to Humla district headquarters in Simkot and the Yalbang-based food depot via the Kerung border,” he added.