Actual Stock of Rice and Wheat in India Significantly Higher Than Buffer Norms: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level review meeting today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to assess the progress in the agricultural sector and issued necessary directives to senior officials.
During the meeting, Shri Chouhan highlighted the need for ensuring prompt payment to farmers for the procurement of pulses such as gram, lentils, urad, and arhar. He emphasized that a robust mechanism must be put in place so that farmers do not face delays in receiving payments for their produce.
Significantly, the Minister expressed satisfaction over the current stock levels of rice and wheat, stating that the actual stock far exceeds the buffer norms. As per the data presented:
Rice: Actual stock is 389.05 LMT, compared to the buffer norm of 135.80 LMT.
Wheat: Actual stock is 177.08 LMT, against the buffer norm of 74.60 LMT.
Combined rice and wheat stock: 566.13 LMT compared to a buffer standard of 210.40 LMT.
Wheat Harvest Status by May 2, 2025:
Madhya Pradesh: 100%
Uttar Pradesh: 94%
Rajasthan: 100%
Gujarat: 100%
Haryana: 100%
Punjab: 97%
Bihar: 96%
The crops in most states have matured, and any possible heatwave or high temperature would accelerate the harvesting process. Hence, the second advance estimates are unlikely to be affected by recent hailstorms or extreme weather.
Directions for Pulse Procurement and Timely MSP Payments
Shri Chouhan directed officials to focus on states to improve procurement of pulses (gram, lentil, urad, arhar) to maximize farmer benefits. He stressed reducing the time gap between procurement and payment, urging for a more robust system to ensure that farmers receive timely payments.
Progress in Summer Sowing
Officials reported to the Minister that there has been notable progress in the sowing of paddy, pulses, millets, and oilseeds. As of May 2, 2025:
Paddy: Sown on 32.02 lakh hectares, an increase of 3.44 lakh hectares from 28.57 lakh hectares in 2023-24.
Pulses: Sown on 20.67 lakh hectares, up from 18.47 lakh hectares in 2023-24.
Moong: Increase of 1.70 lakh hectares.
Urad: Increase of 0.50 lakh hectares.
Horticulture Sowing Trends (Onion, Potato, Tomato)
Onion and potato sowing have shown year-on-year growth:
Onion: Area increased by 2.82 lakh hectares (from 9.76 to 12.58 lakh hectares).
Potato: Area increased by 0.47 lakh hectares (from 19.56 to 20.03 lakh hectares).
Tomato and onion sowing for the current season is progressing smoothly, with sufficient time remaining to achieve normal area coverage, especially considering favorable market prices.
Improved Weather and Water Reservoir Conditions
Officials reported that the country’s weather and reservoir conditions are favorable. Total water storage in 161 reservoirs stands at 117% of the same period last year and 114% of the ten-year average.
Present in the meeting were Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Secretary Smt. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Agriculture Commissioner Shri P.K. Singh, and other senior officials.