No shortage of food grains, reserves are sufficient, says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare

India would not face shortage of food items as government’s reserves are at full capacity, agriculture and farmers welfare minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on May 9 amid rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Chouhan said the government’s rice and wheat reserves are full, while sufficient fruit and vegetable stock is being maintained. India also has a buffer stock of pulses, ensuring food security, he added.

“We have wheat, rice and other grains available in sufficient quantity. There has been bumper production, purchase from farmers is also continuing. Yesterday itself, we have discussed in detail in the Kharif Conference and have set a framework regarding farming,” said Chouhan.

In view of the current circumstances, Chauhan held a review meeting on May 9 with senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Rural Development.

Tensions between the two neighbouring countries heightened after Pakistan on May 8 launched munitions and drones on the border states of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The attacks were thwarted by the India’s aerial defence systems.

India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the night of May 6-7, hitting nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, two weeks after 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

“On one hand, our soldiers are deployed on the border, a befitting reply is being given to every attack by Pakistan, on the other hand, farmers are ready in the fields, along with them scientists and the Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development are also fully prepared, understanding their duty. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will leave no stone unturned," said Chouhan.

Food grain availability

Despite rising temperatures, the production of both wheat and rice in the country has increased by four to five percent in a year, said Chouhan. The country’s total food grain production increased to 3,474.42 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25, compared to 3,322.98 lakh metric tonnes in the year 2023-24, he added.

India’s rice production came in at 1,464.02 lakh metric tonnes in FY25, higher than 1,464.02 lakh metric tonnes last year. Wheat production is estimated at 1,154.30 LMT this year.

Chouhan said the production of pulses and oilseeds also ramped in the year. The minister added that as of May 8, the government has purchased 539.88 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, while wheat procurement was at 267.02 lakh metric tonnes.

The agriculture ministry would ensure that India does not face any shortage of food grains in these circumstances, the minister said.

Meanwhile, Chouhan on May 8 commented on India’s decision of suspending the Indus Water Treaty, 1960, saying the country’s farmers will benefit from the move as more water be would available for irrigation. The government would work on a plan accordingly, he added.