Wheat Procurement Set at 34.15 mn tonnes

· “One Nation, One MSP through DBT” implemented across the country from RMS 2021-22 onwards.

The estimates for procurement of wheat are finalised by Government of India in consultation with State Governments and Food Corporation of India (FCI) before the commencement of marketing season based upon estimated production, marketable surplus and agricultural crop pattern. Government of India has fixed an estimate of 341.50 Lakh Metric Tonnes wheat procurement under central pool for Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24.

The steps taken by Government of India for food security are as under:

· There exists a transparent & uniform Policy for procurement of foodgrains at Minimum Support Price (MSP) by Government agencies across the country. As per policy, the offered quantity within the stipulated procurement period & conforming to the specifications prescribed by Government of India, are purchased at MSP by the Government agencies.

· MSP is announced well before the sowing season, so as to enable the farmers to take empowered decision on cultivation of crop.

· Govt. of India is increasing MSP of foodgrains year on year thereby making agricultural production remunerative to farmers.

· Farmers are made aware of the quality specifications and purchase system etc. to facilitate the farmers to bring their produce conforming to the specifications.

· Sufficient numbers of procurement centres are opened by procuring agencies including FCI, keeping in view the procurement potential and geographical spread of the State concerned. Large number of temporary purchase centres in addition to the existing Mandis and depots/ godowns are also established at key points for the convenience of the farmers.

· “One Nation, One MSP through DBT” implemented across the country from RMS 2021-22 onwards. Payment of MSP has been ensured directly into farmers' account. DBT eliminated fictitious farmers and reduced the diversion and duplication of payment as payment is being made directly to farmer's bank account. DBT of MSP has brought in responsibility, transparency and probity.

· FCI and most of the State Governments have developed their own Online Procurement System which ushers in transparency and convenience to the farmers through proper registration and monitoring of actual procurement. Through e-procurement module deployed by procuring Agencies, farmers get latest/updated information regarding MSP declared, nearest purchase center, date of procurement etc. This not only has reduced the waiting period for delivery of stock by the farmers but also enables the farmer to deliver stock as per his convenience in the nearest mandi.

· Food Corporation of India provides foodgrains to the State Governments for its Distribution under various Schemes as per allocation made by Government of India in order to provide Food Security to the Nation.

· The Government is implementing the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) which provides for coverage upto 75% of rural population and upto 50% of urban population for receiving free foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the total population which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore. Coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit. The Act is being implemented in all the States/UTs and against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.11 crore person are presently covered under the Act.