Amid escalating tensions with neighboring Pakistan, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured the nation that India possesses sufficient food stocks to handle any emergencies. This statement, made on Friday, May 9, 2025, aims to allay public concerns regarding potential food shortages in light of the current geopolitical climate.
Chouhan emphasized the readiness of both the nation's defense forces and farmers in ensuring the country's security and food security. He highlighted the significant increase in food grain production, with total output rising from 3,322.98 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24 to 3,474.42 lakh metric tonnes in the current year. Specifically, rice production has increased from 1,378.25 lakh metric tonnes to 1,464.02 lakh metric tonnes, and wheat production has risen from 1,132 lakh metric tonnes to 1,154 lakh metric tonnes. Growth was also reported in pulses and oilseeds production, with pulses increasing from 242 lakh metric tonnes to 250.97 lakh metric tonnes, and oilseeds from 296.69 lakh metric tonnes to 428.98 lakh metric tonnes. Furthermore, horticultural crops such as potatoes, onions, and tomatoes have shown positive growth.
The Union Minister stated that as of May 8, 2025, the government had procured 539.88 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 267.02 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, ensuring well-maintained buffer stocks. He reassured citizens that the government is fully prepared to effectively manage any emergency. Chouhan also mentioned that the Centre is formulating a new scheme aimed at boosting crop production. He added that conditions are favorable for upcoming crops, and there has been a bumper production.
Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan shared on social media platform X that he held a review meeting with senior ministry officials in New Delhi to ensure the availability of food products across the country.
Echoing Chouhan's sentiments, Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi cautioned traders and wholesalers against creating artificial shortages by hoarding essential items. Joshi reassured the public that essential commodities like rice, wheat, and pulses are available in surplus and urged them not to panic-buy food grains or believe misinformation about food shortages. He warned that hoarders would face legal action under the Essential Commodities Act. Joshi also said that the country has stocks many times higher than the normal requirement.
The government has stated that the current rice stock stands at 356.42 lakh tonnes against a buffer norm of 135 lakh tonnes, and the wheat stock is 383.32 lakh tonnes against a buffer norm of 276 lakh tonnes. India also holds about 17 lakh tonnes of edible oil stocks. Furthermore, around 257 lakh tonnes of sugar has already been produced; considering domestic consumption and exports, the closing stock is expected to be around 50 lakh tonnes, which is more than the consumption of two months.
Chouhan is planning discussions with chief ministers of border states like Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab for possible assistance if evacuations are necessary and to ensure arrangements for seeds and planting material.
