Lok Sabha Question No. 3906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Foodgrains Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Neeraj Maurya, Shri Devesh Shakya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3906

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## FOODGRAINS PRODUCTION

3906. SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA: SHRI DEVESH SHAKYA:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state;

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that while India's total foodgrains production is projected to reach a record level of about 354 million tonnes (comprising 117.5 million tonnes of wheat and 149 million tonnes of rice) in 2025, on the other hand, India has been ranked  105 th   out  of  127  countries  in  the  Global  Hunger  Index  2024,  which  falls  in  the "Serious Category" (Score 27.3);

(b) whether this situation indicates that despite increase in foodgrain production its equitable distribution, malnutrition elimination and access to proper nutrition are not being ensured; and

- (c) if so, the concrete and effective steps being taken by the Government to remove this anomaly?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): As per the Third Advance Estimates for 2024-25, India has achieved record production of  foodgrains  at  353.96  million  tonnes  which  includes  production  of  wheat  and  rice, estimated at 117.51 million tonnes and 149.07 million tonnes, respectively.

There are many international organisations who come out with various indices from time  to  time.  However,  the  Household  Consumption  Expenditure  Surveys  conducted  by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, indicate that there has been a positive shift of the food basket to include more of pulses, milk and milk products, fruits (dry) and other protein-based fooditems as per the latest surveys conducted during the years 202223 and 2023-24.

Moreover,  the  distribution  of  foodgrains  across  various  income  categories  have ensured  that,  at  present  about  80.56  crore  beneficiaries  get  free  foodgrains  across  the country.

(b)  &  (c):  To  ensure  equitable  distribution,  malnutrition  elimination  and  access  to  proper nutrition, the Government has taken several concrete and effective steps.

The National Food Security Act, 2013, is being implemented in all the States/UTs with the aim to supplement the food requirements of up to 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population, which, according to the 2011 census, comes to around 81.35 crore persons. While Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month, Priority Households (PHH) are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, free of cost.

The  Central  Government,  in  order  to  remove  the  financial  burden  of  the  poor beneficiaries  and  to  ensure  nationwide  uniformity  and  effective  implementation  of  the programme for support to the poor, had decided to provide food grains free of cost to AAY households and PHH beneficiaries, beginning from 1 st  January 2023 under the NFSA. The period  for  distribution  of  free  of  cost  foodgrains  has  been  extended  for  five  years  from 1 st  January, 2024, with an estimated financial outlay of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore totally to be borne by the Central Government.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution has formulated and issued a Quality Control Manual, to uniformly maintain the quality standards of foodgrains from procurement to  its  distribution  to  the  eligible  beneficiaries.  Only  foodgrains  conforming  to  Food  Safety Standards  are  issued  through  the  various  food  security  programs  under  the  NFSA.  The coverage  under  the  Act  is  substantially  high  to  ensure  that  all  the  vulnerable  and  needy sections of the society get its benefit.

To address the challenges of malnutrition among children and women, the Government is implementing Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme that seeks to strengthen  nutritional  content,  delivery,  outreach  and  outcomes  with  focus  on  developing practices  that  nurture  health,  wellness  and  immunity  from  malnutrition.  This  Mission  is  a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented across all States/UTs.

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