Defence Minister Rajnath Singh poses for a group picture with Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth, MGASC HQ Northern Command (Northern Command - Indian Army) Major General S Sooraj and other dignitaries during the MoU signing event between the Indian Army and Food Corporation of India (FCI) as the Army launches ‘Bharat Rice’ for the defence forces at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Monday.
The Indian Army on Monday (October 12, 2026) launched ‘Bharat Rice’ for defence personnel and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to use its warehousing infrastructure, manpower and material-handling equipment during operational contingencies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the initiative at a ceremony in New Delhi.
According to the Defence Ministry, the move aims to improve the quality of rations and strengthen military logistics, particularly during contingencies requiring rapid mobilisation and sustained supplies to forward areas.
Under the initiative, rice conforming to prescribed defence specifications will be supplied directly to Army supply depots, including those in remote areas of Ladakh and the Northeast, instead of requiring the depots to collect supplies from local FCI facilities.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Singh said the initiative embodied the spirit of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’, linking farmers’ efforts with the welfare and operational readiness of soldiers.
He said the rice would be supplied in ergonomic packaging to ease transportation in difficult terrain.
“Logistics itself is combat power,” Mr. Singh said, stressing that supply chains, storage capacity, transportation networks and timely replenishment were as critical as weapons and technology in modern warfare.
“MoU a significant step”
Referring to lessons from Operation Sindoor, he said future conflicts could involve extremely short warning times, testing the resilience of logistics chains and supply networks. The MoU with FCI was a significant step towards ensuring operational preparedness, he added.
FCI’s warehouses, modern silos, material-handling equipment and trained workforce across the country would provide additional capacity for storing and moving rations and equipment closer to operational areas. The agreement will remain valid for five years and may be extended by mutual consent.
The rice will be supplied through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) during the 2026-27 financial year.
It will undergo quality-control checks and be procured in 10-kg and 30-kg bags to facilitate handling and transportation, particularly at forward posts.
The initiative follows nearly 18 months of coordination among the Army, FCI, NAFED and the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth and senior officials from the Defence and Consumer Affairs Ministries, FCI, NAFED and the cooperative sector attended the event.
Published - October 12, 2026 05:30 pm IST