Parliamentary Committee Urges Union Food Ministry to Tighten Procurement Planning as Wheat & Rice Purchases Lag Targets — UPSC Current Affairs | March 22, 2026
Parliamentary Committee Urges Union Food Ministry to Tighten Procurement Planning as Wheat & Rice Purchases Lag Targets
The Parliament Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, chaired by Karunanidhi Kanimozhi, has urged the Union Food Ministry to improve procurement planning as wheat and rice purchases have consistently fallen short of estimates and state targets since 2022‑23. The committee recommends revising estimation methods, real‑time monitoring, and stronger centre‑state coordination to ensure food security and price stability.
Parliamentary Committee Flags Shortfall in Food Grain Procurement The Parliament Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution , chaired by senior DMK MP Karunanidhi Kanimozhi , has expressed concern that actual procurement of rice and wheat consistently falls below estimates and state‑wise targets. The committee has asked the Union Food Ministry to strengthen planning and coordination with states. Key Developments Since 2022‑23 , procurement of wheat and rice has been less than 30% of total production . Actual wheat procurement stood at 76.71% (2023‑24), 71.35% (2024‑25) and 87.29% (2025‑26) of the estimates. Rice procurement has been below target every year since 2022‑23. During the KMS 2024‑25, rice procurement from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab was 25.60 LMT , 0.003 LMT and 116.13 LMT respectively, against targets of 35 LMT , 5.29 LMT and 124 LMT . In the RMS 2025‑26, wheat procurement lagged in Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Important Facts & Figures The committee highlighted that procurement gaps arise from multiple variables: production fluctuations, market surplus, MSP , prevailing market rates, demand‑supply dynamics and private trader participation. The government replied that these factors naturally cause variations between estimated and actual procurement. UPSC Relevance GS III – Economy: Understanding the mechanics of food grain procurement , its impact on buffer stocks, and price stability. GS II – Polity: Role of parliamentary committees in policy oversight and the interaction between the centre and states in implementing food security programmes. GS IV – Ethics & Integrity: Accountability of ministries in meeting targets that affect farmer incomes and consumer welfare. Way Forward Suggested by the Committee Review and refine the methodology for estimating procurement requirements. Enhance real‑time monitoring of crop production and market arrivals. Strengthen coordination with state governments, especially those where procurement shortfalls are acute. Report corrective actions taken to the committee for further scrutiny. Addressing these gaps is crucial for maintaining adequate buffer stock , stabilising food prices, and safeguarding farmer incomes.
Since FY 2022‑23, wheat and rice procurement has been less than 30% of total production.
Wheat procurement achieved 76.71% (2023‑24), 71.35% (2024‑25) and 87.29% (2025‑26) of estimated targets.
Rice procurement missed targets every year since 2022‑23; in KMS 2024‑25 actual purchases were 25.60 LMT (AP), 0.003 LMT (Karnataka) and 116.13 LMT (Punjab) versus targets of 35, 5.29 and 124 LMT respectively.
In RMS 2025‑26, wheat procurement lagged in Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is chaired by DMK MP Karunanidhi Kanimozhi.
Committee recommendations: revamp estimation methodology, real‑time crop monitoring, and stronger centre‑state coordination to protect buffer stocks and farmer incomes.
Background & Context
Food grain procurement is a key instrument for maintaining buffer stocks, stabilising prices and ensuring farmer incomes (GS III). The Standing Committee’s intervention highlights parliamentary oversight and the need for effective centre‑state coordination in implementing food security programmes (GS II).
UPSC Syllabus Connections
GS2•Functions and responsibilities of Union and StatesGS3•Major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation and agricultural produceGS3•Farm subsidies, MSP, PDS, food security and technology missionsGS2•Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, powers and privilegesGS4•Work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, corruption
Mains Answer Angle
GS III – Discuss the challenges in achieving food grain procurement targets and evaluate the committee’s recommendations for improving procurement planning and centre‑state coordination.