The Govt. has taken an initiative for proper utilization of broken rice instead of considering it as an “waste”. Government is all set to scale up attempts to improve the standards and quality of rice in the Food Corporation of India (FCI) stock. It has finalized to separate broken rice from up to 50 lakh tonnes of rice from FCI stock, hence enhancing the overall quality and market value of the grain during auction.
Rice Mills Instructed to Implement New System
Back in 2024, the Food Corporation of India directed selected rice mills in Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh to implement a new system for segregating 15% broken rice from a batch of 10,000 tonnes processed under the Custom Milled Rice (CMR) scheme. The initiative was aimed at bringing down the usual broken grain percentage – typically around 25% in the rice procured for the central pool.
As per the new implemented method under the CMR scheme, if a rice mill is required to supply 100 quintals of rice, it will now deliver 85 quintals of higher-quality rice (containing 10% broken grain) in one lot and 15 quintals of fully broken rice in another. This initiative will not only enhance the quality of rice entering the Central Pool but also creates a distinct supply stream for broken rice that can be used in ethanol production.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve grain quality, reduce wastage, optimize ethanol production, and make FCI rice stocks more attractive in the open market.