January 19: The state-owned Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Limited has not been able to purchase paddy as per its target.

The FMTC  had set a target of purchasing 60,000 metric tons of paddy from purchase centres spread across the country. However, it has managed to purchase only 22,555 metric tons of paddy so far.

It has been learnt that the company has not been able to meet its target due to lack of adequate storage facility and also because it started the procurement process late.

The state-owned company had failed to purchase paddy in accordance to its target last year as well. FMTC had set a target to purchase 30,000 metric tons of paddy last year but it was able to buy only 21,164 metric tons of paddy.

FMTC has an obligation to purchase paddy fulfill Nepal’s commitment for storage of food grains for SAARC nations. The government keeps a stock of food in order to supply them during times of crisis as well as to remote areas. In this context, the FMTC procures paddy and wheat from various centres every year.

Director General of the company Netra Subedi informed that they are in the process of procuring paddy till mid-February but admitted that they have failed to purchase paddy as per their target.

“Firstly, FMTC started the procurement process late and secondly we do not have large storage facility,” said Subedi.

It has also been found that the FMTC has been purchasing paddy at a higher price than the local businessmen.

Out of the 11 centres across the country, FMTC has not been able to purchase paddy in Jumla.

According to the data provided by the company, it has purchased 3,835 metric tons of paddy in Rajapur (Bardiya), 5,336 metric tons in Dhangadhi, 2,300 metric tons in Birtamode, 1,349 metric tons in Janakpur, 1,362 metric tons in Biratnagar, 2,256 metric tons in Lahan, 1,845 metric tons in Birgunj, 1,800 metric tons in Bhairahawa, 3,307 metric tons in Nepalgunj and 947 metric tons in Mahendranagar.