The Food Corporation of India (FCI) Mokokchung organized an enlightening awareness program aimed at local school students to educate them about the functioning of FCI’s Godown and its Food Storage Depot (FSD). The event, held at GMS Khensa, witnessed active participation from students in grades 6 to 8, with the school’s exceptional performance in the region making them prominent participants.
The informative session commenced with Rongsentemjen, the Depot In-charge, delivering a comprehensive presentation on the operations of the FCI Godown located in Khensa Village. He highlighted that the godown has a remarkable storage capacity of 3132 metric tonnes, equivalent to approximately 65,000-70,000 bags of rice. Furthermore, he revealed that Mokokchung receives a monthly allocation of 1135 metric tonnes of rice, which is then issued to the Civil Supply Department. On average, the depot receives 150 truckloads of rice every month.
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One crucial aspect covered during the program was the distribution process of rice, starting from the main Godown situated in Dimapur. Rongsentemjen explained that rice from various states arrives at Dimapur station via rail and is subsequently dispatched to different districts using trucks.
It was emphasized that the Food & Civil Supplies Department’s Public Distribution System (PDS) acts as an intermediary for rice distribution, with FCI playing a pivotal role in implementing the central government’s programs, particularly the National Food Security Act.
Highlighting FCI’s presence in Nagaland, Rongsentemjen mentioned the division headquarters in Dimapur and five godowns situated across different districts, namely FSD Mon, FSD Tuensang, FSD Phesama, FSD Dimapur, and FSD Mokokchung.
The program provided an interactive platform for the students to engage with the presenters, allowing them to discuss various topics, including the frequency of midday meal distribution in schools and the quality of rice supplied. The teachers also actively participated, posing questions about these aspects as well as inquiring about the frequency of rice deliveries throughout the year.
Durgesh Thingujam, the technical assistant at FCI Mokokchung, shared insights into the quality control of rice grains and the application of treatments to the stocks at the godown. He highlighted the significance of fortified rice, which contains additional micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Fortified rice aims to combat malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies among the population. Durgesh assured the public that no plastic rice has been distributed and urged everyone to educate themselves about fortified rice.
This informative program not only deepened the students’ understanding of FCI’s operations but also emphasized the importance of fortified rice in addressing nutritional needs. The presenters encouraged the students to serve as channels of information, spreading awareness about fortified rice among the public.
As the FCI continues to play a crucial role in food storage and distribution, programs like these contribute to fostering a more informed and aware society, ensuring the efficient functioning of the food supply chain in Mokokchung and beyond.
