Food Reserve Agency (FRA) says it has purchased over 2 million metric tonnes of Grade A Non GMO White Maize since the opening of satellite depots on July, 29, 2026.
Updating the nation on the 2026/2027 Crop marketing season status, FRA Board Chairperson, Suresh Desai revealed that an estimated 400,000 metric tonnes of maize is deposited at satellite depots, while 300,000 metric tonnes is projected to be held by farmers desiring to deliver and sale to the Agency.
“In this regard, it is estimated that the Agency will purchase a total of 2,731,518.99 metric tonnes of White Non GMO Maize as it winds up and closes the 2026 crop marketing season,” he said.
He described the development as a historic record purchase in less than two months of opening satellite depots.
Meanwhile, Mr. Desai announced that the Agency will close the crop marketing exercise on September 30, 2026.
He said the Agency has since put in place measures to ensure orderly closure of the crop marketing exercise.
“FRA will do a stock take and enlist all farmers details and estimated quantities of crop intended for sale to the Food Reserve Agency and estimate the quantities of stock held at household level by farmers desiring to sale to the Agency,” he stated.
“By close of day on Wednesday, 30th September 2026, satellite depots will stop listing any new farmers in the register and the listing of the two categories of farmers mentioned above will have been completed.
Mr. Desai further explained that the registers will be closed and signed off by officials of the satellite depot committees who include the Chairperson, the Secretary – FRA depot clerk and, one member of the satellite depot committee.
“After the closure of the register, the Agency shall continue the processes of sieving, weighing, bagging and receipting of all the maize of the listed farmers,” he explained.
He emphasized that the outlined measures are being undertaken to allow FRA to concentrate on safeguarding and securing the huge stocks purchased at great cost and effort.
“This will involve transportation of purchased stock from the buying locations to safe storage locations in the various districts,” Mr. Desai added.
