Context: On the 58th Foundation Day of Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has released a “5-point reform agenda for FCI”. It is also called “5 Sutras”. The agenda aims to improve FCI and its progress.
Need 

• According to the food ministry, India should focus on improving its Global Hunger Index. India ranked 101 in the Global Hunger Index 2021. It ranked 94th in 2020. 
• Also, India should focus on nutritional security. Around 18 lakh children in India are undernourished. 7.7% are severely wasted. 35.5% are stunted. 19.3% are wasted.

Key Facts

• FCI procures 1,300 lakhs metric tonnes of wheat and paddy currently. In 1965, it procured 13 lakh metric tonnes. 
• The distribution of food grains in the country has increased from 18 lakh million tonnes in 1965 to 600 lakh million tonnes in 2021. 
• The storage of food grains in the country has increased from 6 lakh million tonnes in 1965 to 800 lakh million tonnes in 2021.

5 Sutras

1. Change the public perception of FCI: To change the public perception of FCI. Currently the public see the FCI as inefficient and corrupt. This perception will now be converted to inclusive, dynamic and honest entity.
2. Focus on integrating end-to-end tech solutions: To focus on end – to – end tech solutions. This includes everything starting from procurement to delivery. This is to be achieved by reducing PDS response time and efficient tracking of the food grains. Ultimately, this will result in leakage free operational efficient system.
3. Establish a grievance redressal mechanism: To establish grievance redressal mechanism. This will help in reducing the reaction time to a problem. Also, it will help in addressing the issues of farmer producer organization, especially those in high distress. This is to be achieved through “Jan Jagrukta” programmes.
4. Plan for modern infrastructure & logistics: To plan and create modern infrastructure and logistics. It will upgrade the warehouses to international standards. The agenda includes increasing the storage capacity for power, network facility and CCTV.
5. Adopt the best Global practises: It will increase the global practices and make India as “Food Hub”.

About Food Corporation of India (FCI)

• It was setup under the Food Corporation's Act 1964.
• Aim: For effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers.
• The Central government extends price support for procurement of wheat, paddy and coarse grains through the FCI and state agencies.

Objective

• To provide farmers remunerative prices.
• To make food grains available at reasonable prices, particularly to vulnerable section of the society.
• To maintain buffer stocks as measure of Food Security.
• To intervene in market for price stabilization.

By: Shubham Tiwari