Food Grain Train With Rice To Anantnag, Pak Govt Looks For Philippine Rice Tenders: Top Rice News Of The Day

by Megha Bajaj

First Full Food Grain Goods Train With Rice Reaches J & K’s Anantnag

Undoubtedly, logistics support to Kashmir was heavily dependent upon road convoys. Moreover, in winters or monsoons, this support was usually disrupted due to snow and landslides. But, on Thursday, Indian Railways achieved another milestone when the first full-length freight train arrived in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district with a 42-BCN rake carrying rice. The train reached Kashmir Valley through the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL). Not only this, a food grains goods train of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) with 21 BCN wagons has departed from Ajitwal Goods Shed of Firozpur Division and reached Anantnag Goods Terminal on December 21, 2025, carrying approximately 1,384 tonnes of Food grains.

Now, this latest development is expected to strengthen the food supply and distribution network in the valley. The Railways and the Food Corporation of India have jointly initiated this food grain goods train service for Kashmir. Ultimately, it is observed as a major step towards boosting the supply chain and promoting economic development. The grain-laden goods trains will reach Kashmir from Punjab without any hindrance and in minimal time compared to road transport. Moreover, grains and other essential food items are also expected to reach the Kashmir valley directly from several parts of the country by rail, benefiting local traders as well as the general public. In September 2025, the USBRL witnessed a historic milestone with the successful run of the first exclusive freight train of the Army. The train runs from BD Bari near Samba to Anantnag. This was strategically significant, as it gave a boost to the Army's logistics capability. The train carried 753 metric tonnes of Advanced Winter Stocking (AWS) load for the Army units and formations stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a decisive turning point in the AWS operations. This initiative highlights the Army’s ongoing capability development efforts to ensure operational preparedness in challenging Himalayan terrain.

Pak Government Looks for Philippine Rice Tenders to offload Surplus

Pakistan Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has sought improved rice exports to the Philippines during a meeting with the Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Emmanuel R Fernandez, held on the special directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The official statement issued on Friday stated that the commerce minister conveyed the Prime Minister’s interest in identifying priority markets for Pakistan’s rice exports and requested the Philippine government to consider additional procurement from Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan currently has surplus rice stocks, supported by strong agricultural output and consistent quality standards.
Additionally, Khan noted that the return of major global suppliers has intensified price competition. Moreover, he stated that Pakistan has developed a mechanism to ensure benchmark price competitiveness, including financial bridging where required, to remain competitive while assuring quality and quantity. He also added that the closer price alignment could expand bilateral rice trade through institutional coordination. Interestingly, Ambassador Fernandez welcomed Pakistan’s outreach, noting that Pakistan remains among the top three rice suppliers to the Philippines. It has the potential to increase its market share. He also mentioned that rice trade would be a priority agenda item at the Pakistan Philipinnes joint Economic Commission session expected in February. Both nations reviewed progress on a draft MoU for multi-year government-to-government rice procurement, along with technical teams coordinating ahead of tenders.