Lok Sabha Question No. 2964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Gap between Production and Procurement of Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Haji Fazlur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2964 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH DECEMBER, 2023

GAP BETWEEN PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT OF FOODGRAINS t2964n SHRI HAJI  FAZLUR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION  w+M qm+, um  at  tIT#lfhE fq7wr THt be  pleased to  state,

- (a) whether there  is  a huge gap between production and procurement of foodgrains in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to bridge this gap; and
- (d) the total quantity of wheat and rice procured during the last four years and the current  year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD &  PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI  NIRAN JAN  JYOTI)

(a) to (d): Procurement in a State depends not only upon production but also upon  other factors like marketable surplus, Minimum Support Price (MSP), prevailing market rate, demand & supply situation  and participation  of private traders etc.

The estimate for  procurement of paddy and wheat  is finalized by the Government of India in consultation with State Governments and Food Corporation of  India (FCI), before the commencement of  each marketing season based upon estimated  production, marketable surplus and agricultural crop pattern.

The Production and procurement of Wheat &  Paddy (in terms of rice) in the country during last four years and the current year is as below: Wheat:

| RMS      | Production in LMT)   | Procurement (in LN   |
|----------|----------------------|----------------------|
| 201 9-20 | 1 035.96 341 .32     |                      |
| 2020-21  | 1 078.61             | 389.92               |
| 2021 -22 | 1 095n86             | 433n44               |
| 2022-23  | 1 077.42             | 1 87.92              |
| 2023..24 | 1 1 05.54            | 262.02               |

## Paddy (in terms  of Rice):

| KMS                | Production (in LMT)   | Procurement (in LMT)   |
|--------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|
| 201 9-20           | 1 1 88.70             | 51 8.26                |
| 2020-21            | 1 243.68              | 602.45                 |
| 2021 -22           | 1 294.71              | 575n88                 |
| 2022-23            | 1 357.55              | 568.66                 |
| 2023-24            | 1 063B1 3             | 224.75                 |
| (Kharif crop only) |                       | (up to 11.12.2023)     |

The following  steps are taken to  Increase ease of  procurement from farmers in the country:

- (i)  Procurement centres are  opened by  respective State Government Agencies/ FCI taking into account the  estimated production, marketable surplus, convenience of  farmers and availability of  other logistics / infrastructure such as storage and transportation etc. Large number of temporary purchase centres in  addition to  the  existing Mandis and depots/godowns have also been established at key points for the convenience of the farmers.
- (ii) in  orders  to  widen out  reach  of  MSP operations for  Paddy  and  Wheat, Government of India has made a provision for engagement of Co-operative societies /  Self Help Groups/ Panchayats / Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) by the  State  procuring agencies so that  maximum farmers can avail the benefit of Price Support operations.
- (iii) Farmers are made aware of the quality specifications and purchase system etc. to  facilitate them to  bring their produce conforming to  the specifications. Payment of  MSP is being made directly  into  farmers' bank accounts.
- (iv) FC:1 and  all the  procuring States have  developed their  own Online Procurement System to  ensure transparency and convenience to  the farmers through proper registration  and rnonitoring of actual  procurement.
- (v) Through e-procurement module deployed by procuring agencies, farmers get  latest/updated information regarding declared MSP, nearest purchase centre, date on which the farmer has to bring his produce to the purchase centre etc, This facilitates  delivery of stock by the farmers conveniently in the mandi/purchase centers.

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