Government has set a target to procure three crore tonnes of rice during the next Kharif marketing season (2015-16). Rice procurement has already surpassed the target set for the ongoing 2014-15 marketing year. The Food Corporation of India, the nodal agency for foodgrain procurement and distribution, has so far purchased more than 31 million tonnes for rice.<br/><br/>In a meeting of State Food Secretaries in New Delhi yesterday, Union Food Secretary, Vrinda Sarup said, States have been asked to identify immediately areas with maximum paddy production and to open adequate purchase centers and deploy sufficient manpower. <br/><br/>They have also been advised to make arrangements for publicizing Minimum Support Price fixed, procurement centers opened through print and audio-visual media as well as through pamphlets in local languages. <br/><br/>Ms. Sarup also asked the State governments to give details of storage plan for the ensuing kharif marketing season and prepare action plan to meet the deficit in storage requirement.