distribution process
Mokokchung, July 14, 2023 (MTNews): The Food Corporation of India (FCI) Mokokchung on Friday interacted with a group of local school students, shedding light on the functioning of FCI Godown and its Food Storage Depot (FSD). The purpose of the event was to familiarize students with the operation of FCI and its role in food storage and distribution. Students of classes 6-8 from GMS Khensa participated in the program held at the FCI Godown in Khensa Village.
Rongsentemjen, the Depot In-Charge, gave an in-depth presentation on the overall operations of the FCI Godown in Khensa Village. He said that the Mokokchung FCI Godown has a storage capacity of 3132 metric tonnes, which is comparable to 65,000-70,000 bags of rice. He further stated that Mokokchung receives a monthly allocation of 1135 metric tonnes of rice, which is then distributed through the Civil Supplies Department. On a monthly basis, the depot receives 150 truckloads of rice, he added.
The Depot In-Charge also said that the Food and Civil Supplies Department’s Public Distribution System (PDS) serves as an intermediary for rice distribution, emphasizing that FCI does not distribute rice directly to the public. Furthermore, he stressed FCI’s implementation of the National Food Security Act to carry out the central government’s programs.
Throughout the program, the visiting students had the opportunity to interact with the FCI staff on topics such as the regularity of midday meal distribution in schools and the quality of rice provided. The teachers also actively queried with the staff on these topics.
The FCI representatives encouraged the students to be channels of information and create public awareness about fortified rice. They emphasized that, unlike conventional rice, fortified rice contains additional micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, stating that fortified rice is supplied to combat malnutrition and nutrient deficits among the people. They also reassured the public that no “plastic rice” has been distributed and asked everyone to acquire more knowledge about fortified rice.
The pupils were also educated on the rice distribution process, which included shipping commodities from the main Godown in Dimapur. Rice from several states of the country is delivered via freight trains to Dimapur station before being trucked to various districts.
Regarding FCI’s presence in Nagaland, the state has its division headquarters in Dimapur and five godowns spread across five different districts, namely FSD Mon, FSD Tuensang, FSD Phesama, FSD Dimapur, and FSD Mokokchung.
Durgesh Thingujam, Technical Assistant at FCI Mokokchung, whose job description includes quality control of rice at the depot, also delivered a brief presentation about the application of treatments to stocks at the godown and rice grain quality control.