The Center has embarked on a bold initiative to ramp up wheat procurement from non-traditional states, marking a significant shift in agricultural policy. With a targeted seven-fold increase in procurement to 50 lakh tonnes in the ongoing marketing year, states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar are poised to play a pivotal role in meeting this ambitious goal. This strategic move not only diversifies the procurement base but also signals a commitment to equitable agricultural development. By harnessing the agricultural potential of these states, the Center aims to bolster food security and foster inclusive growth across the nation.
Current Scenario
In the previous year, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, despite their potential, made relatively modest contributions to the wheat procurement efforts. Combined, they only supplied 6.7 lakh tonnes of wheat to the Central pool during the 2023-24 marketing year (April-March). Recognizing the untapped potential in these states, the Union Food Ministry has made a strategic decision to procure 16% of the total wheat procurement target from these non-traditional procurement states in the ongoing marketing year. This decision reflects a concerted effort by the government to diversify and expand its wheat procurement base beyond the traditionally dominant states like Punjab and Haryana.
Government Initiatives
The government has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening wheat procurement in these non-traditional states.
The procurement window has been advanced or extended to March instead of April 1, allowing for a longer period for farmers to sell their produce.
A dedicated helpline has been set up to address procurement-related queries from farmers, ensuring better communication and support.
There has been intensified media publicity regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat, ensuring that farmers are aware of the price they are entitled to receive for their produce.
Drying facilities have been provided for early harvested crops, enabling farmers to preserve the quality of their produce and facilitate smoother procurement processes.
Farmer registration has been advanced from January 1 instead of March 1, streamlining administrative processes and ensuring timely participation in procurement activities.
The verification process for farmers’ land records, including tenant farmers, has been simplified, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and facilitating greater participation.
Procurement targets have been made more flexible for agencies involved, allowing them to adapt to local conditions and optimize procurement efforts.
These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing wheat procurement in non-traditional states and empowering farmers in these regions. By implementing these measures, the government aims to not only increase wheat procurement but also to promote inclusive growth and agricultural sustainability across the country.
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Impact on Welfare Schemes
The significant increase in wheat procurement from non-traditional states is expected to have a positive impact on allocation under welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). This scheme aims to provide food security to vulnerable sections of society by distributing subsidized food grains. With higher procurement levels, the government will be better equipped to meet the demand for food grains under such welfare schemes, ensuring that essential commodities reach those in need.
Moreover, the reduction in wheat allocation over the past two years, owing to lower procurement levels, has strained the distribution network and affected the availability of subsidized food grains to beneficiaries. By ramping up procurement efforts, the government aims to address this shortfall and restore the allocation of wheat under welfare schemes to previous levels. This will not only alleviate food insecurity but also bolster the effectiveness of social safety nets in mitigating poverty and hunger.
Operational Preparedness
To ensure smooth procurement operations and minimize disruptions, the government has implemented various operational preparedness measures.
The government has taken steps to simplify the procurement process and reduce the incidental burden on farmers. By minimizing paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles, farmers can seamlessly participate in procurement activities without facing unnecessary challenges.
Banking-related issues, such as Aadhaar integration with bank accounts, have been streamlined to facilitate timely payments to farmers. Ensuring efficient banking processes is crucial for disbursing Minimum Support Price (MSP) payments promptly, thereby enhancing farmers’ confidence and financial stability.
The establishment of a Central control room in the Food Corporation of India (FCI) headquarters enables real-time monitoring of procurement activities and coordination among various agencies involved. This centralized approach enhances efficiency and transparency in procurement operations, ensuring optimal resource utilization and timely interventions to address any bottlenecks.
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Progress and Challenges
As of the current year, wheat procurement has shown promising progress. Six lakh tonnes of wheat have already been procured from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. However, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring smooth procurement operations in non-traditional states and integrating farmers into the procurement process effectively. The success of procurement efforts will depend on addressing logistical challenges, streamlining administrative processes, and ensuring timely payments to farmers.
Upcoming procurement from traditional states like Punjab and Haryana is crucial for meeting the overall procurement targets. These states are known for their substantial wheat production and play a significant role in fulfilling the country’s wheat procurement requirements. Coordination with state agencies, adequate infrastructure, and effective management of procurement operations will be essential to facilitate seamless procurement from these states.
Price Stability and Export Ban
The introduction of retail sale of wheat flour under the ‘Bharat’ brand has contributed to stability in wheat and rice prices. With 7.06 lakh tonnes of wheat flour sold and stable retail inflation rates for rice, the government’s efforts to ensure food availability and affordability have shown positive outcomes. This initiative has not only helped stabilize prices but has also increased accessibility to essential food items for consumers across the country.
Regarding the wheat export ban, the government maintains its stance on prioritizing domestic availability and price stability. Despite estimates of higher production, the government views exporting wheat as a distant possibility. The ban on wheat exports remains in place since May 2022, reflecting the government’s commitment to safeguarding domestic food security and preventing any adverse impact on prices in the domestic market. Any decision to revisit the export ban will be contingent upon a comprehensive assessment of domestic supply-demand dynamics and the need to maintain adequate reserves for domestic consumption.
In conclusion, the government’s ambitious plan to significantly increase wheat procurement from non-traditional states underscores its commitment to bolstering food security and stabilizing prices. By targeting a seven-fold jump in procurement from states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, the government aims to diversify its procurement base and strengthen agricultural resilience. These efforts are crucial for ensuring adequate food availability, especially in vulnerable regions, and mitigating price fluctuations. By prioritizing domestic procurement and addressing operational challenges, the government demonstrates its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the well-being of farmers and consumers alike, fostering a more secure and sustainable food ecosystem.
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