Indian Army Launches Bharat Rice for Troops, Signs Five-Year MoU with FCI

The Bharat Rice for Troops initiative aims to improve ration quality through rice processed according to the Army’s defence specifications. The programme will supply rice through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) during Financial Year 2026-27. The Directorate General of Supplies and Transport is leading the initiative, which required nearly 18 months of coordination among the Army, FCI, NAFED and the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

The rice will undergo quality checks and must be free from foreign matter, with very few broken, damaged or discoloured grains. It will be supplied in 10 kg and 30 kg bags to make transportation and handling easier, particularly at remote forward posts.

The programme has been developed in response to regular feedback from troops, with the objective of improving the quality and delivery of military rations. Under the new arrangement, rice will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including those in Ladakh and the North East. This will eliminate the need for these depots to collect supplies from local FCI facilities.

Alongside the rice initiative, the Army has signed a five-year MoU with FCI to strengthen logistical preparedness during operational contingencies. Under the agreement, the Army can access FCI’s warehouses, workers and material-handling equipment when required. The MoU will remain valid for five years and may be extended by mutual consent. Army Supply and Transport units will coordinate with FCI’s regional and divisional offices to facilitate implementation.

The agreement draws on lessons from Operation Sindoor, which highlighted the possibility of future conflicts beginning at short notice and continuing for extended periods. Its key objectives include providing additional storage space for rations and equipment, accelerating the mobilisation and positioning of supplies near operational areas, strengthening military logistics and making better use of existing national infrastructure in line with PM Gati Shakti.

The Bharat Rice programme and the FCI agreement are intended to make the Army’s supply chain more reliable by addressing both the quality of food supplies and the infrastructure needed to support military operations. Defence-standard rice is expected to help meet the nutritional needs of troops, while direct deliveries and smaller, manageable bag sizes will simplify distribution to difficult and remote locations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said logistics itself is combat power, emphasising that wars are not won on the front line alone. He highlighted the importance of better food in supporting soldiers’ health, morale and stamina while operating in harsh terrain.

The initiative also reflects a dual-use approach in which civil infrastructure supports military requirements. By combining improved ration supplies with access to FCI’s storage facilities, workforce and material-handling equipment, the programme seeks to strengthen the Army’s logistical readiness while advancing the spirit of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.