**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Government of India's response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding paddy procurement in Tamil Nadu for the Kharif 2025-26 season, specifically addressing requests for revising procurement targets, relaxing moisture norms, and increasing Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) packing sizes. The response outlines the government's position on these requests and the reasons behind them. The question was asked on December 10th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Procurement Target:**
* The procurement target for paddy in Tamil Nadu for KMS 2025-26 (Kharif crop) remains fixed at 16.00 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) (in terms of rice).
* The actual procurement in the state as of 04.12.2025 is 9.95 LMT (in terms of rice).
* Requests for enhancement in procurement estimates are examined with regard to the quantity and pace of procurement during the procurement period.
* **Moisture Norms:**
* The request from the Tamil Nadu government to raise the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement from 17% to 22% has not been considered.
* Reasons for rejecting the request:
* Paddy can be dried before milling.
* Procurement of excessively moist paddy introduces operational risks like loss of stock and compromised milling recovery.
* Paddy with high moisture content is susceptible to rapid deterioration, fungal growth, discoloration, and infestation.
* State Governments have been advised to develop driage facilities at procuring stages.
* Relaxation has no direct financial implications on farmers.
* **Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK):**
* The Government has revised the Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) sample size from 10 Metric Ton (MT) to 21 MT.
* The Government has revised the FRK packaging size from 25 Kg to 50 Kg.
* **Farmer Protection:**
* As per Government policy, stocks conforming to specifications offered at purchase centers are procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
* Farmers are free to sell their produce in the open market if they can get better prices than MSP.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Tamil Nadu State Government**
* **Impact:** The state government's requests for relaxing moisture norms were rejected, and the procurement target remains unchanged, but the FRK requests were approved.
* **Action Required:** The State Government is advised to develop driage facilities at procuring stages.
**Stakeholder: Tamil Nadu Paddy Farmers**
* **Impact:** Farmers must ensure their paddy meets the specified moisture content to be procured at MSP. They can sell in the open market if they get a better price.
* **Action Required:** Farmers need to dry their paddy before offering it for procurement to meet quality standards.
**Stakeholder: Union Government**
* **Impact:** Manages procurement according to established guidelines and ensures farmers have access to MSP.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor procurement activities and provide MSP to farmers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The primary ministry responsible for the policy regarding paddy procurement.
Tamil Nadu: The state whose paddy procurement target and moisture norms are the subject of the question and answer.
Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26: The specific marketing season for which the paddy procurement is being discussed.
Minimum Support Price (MSP): The price at which government agencies procure paddy from farmers.
Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK): Related to a specific request regarding packaging size.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1615
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10Tl-1 DECEMBER, 2025
RELAXING MOISTURE NORMS FOR PADDY PROCUREMENT
1615. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN:
SHRI RAJA A:
SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government is ready to revise Tamil Nadu’s rice procurement target for
Kharif 2025-26 from 16 lakh MT to the actual production and procurement levels recorded this
season and if so, the status of approval and the reasons for any delay;
(b) whether any action has been taken on the recommendation of the Union Government’s
moisture-assessment teams and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the continued
delay in relaxing moisture norms from 17 per cent to 22 per cent which is urgently needed due to
the North-East Monsoon;
(c) whether the Government would reconsider the State's request to relax moisture norms for
paddy procurement to protect the farmers especially when such relaxation had been given in the
past
(d) if so, the details thereof including the reaction of the Union Government thereto;
(e) whether the Government would approve Tamil Nadu’s request to increase Fortified Rice
Kernel (FRK) packing size from 25 kg to 50 kg and revise the sample lot size from 10 MT to 25
MT and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the details of the immediate steps being taken by the Union Government to protect paddy
farmers in Tamil Nadu from procurement losses?
ANSWER
NirNiSTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The estimates for procurement of paddy are finalized by GoI, in consultation with the State
Governments before the commencement of each marketing season, based on estimated production,
marketable surplus, and crop patterns. Accordingly, the estimates of procurement of paddy for
KMS 2025–26 (Kharif crop) in Tamil Nadu have been fixed at 16.00 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT)
(in terms of rice). The actual procurement of paddy in the state, as on 04.12.2025 is 9.95 LMT (in
terms of rice).The requests for enhancement in procurement estimates are examined with regard to the quantity
and pace of procurement during the procurement period.
(b) to (d): The request of the State Government of Tamil Nadu for raising the permissible
moisture content for paddy procurement from 17% to 22% has not been considered due to
following facts:
i. Paddy can be dried before milling, procurement of excessively moist paddy introduces
significant operational risk, including loss of stock during storage and compromised milling
recovery.
ii. Paddy with high moisture content is susceptible to rapid deterioration, fungal growth,
discoloration, and infestation.
iii. The State Governments have been advised time and again to endeavor to develop the driage
facility at procuring stages.
The relaxation in moisture content has no direct financial implication on farmers, therefore,
such relaxation is no longer considered.
(e): The Government has revised the Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) sample size from 10 Metric
Ton (MT) to 21 MT and packaging size from 25 Kg to 50 Kg.
(f): As per the Government’s policy of procurement of foodgrains, stocks conforming to the
Government of India (GoI) specifications which are offered by the farmers at Purchase centers are
procured by the Government Agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, if the farmers
get prices better than MSP in open market, they are free to sell their produce.
+cSe see RSc