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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3988
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2026
QUANTITY OF WHEAT AND RICE
3988 SMT. POONAMBENHEMATBHAI MAADAM:
DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased
to state:
(a) the total quantity of wheat and rice held in the Central pool as on 1 st April, 2026 and the extent
to which this exceeds the prescribed buffer norms;
(b) the quantum of wheat procurement achieved during the Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27 as
compared to the previous season and the number of farmers benefited through Minimum Support
Price operations; and
(c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that surplus foodgrain stocks
are efficiently utilised, so as to optimise storage costs?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): Total stock of foodgrains and Foodgrains Stocking Norms in Central Pool (Buffer Stocks)
as on 1 st April, 2026 is given below:
(Fig. in Lakh MT)
Foodgrain Stocking Norms
Stock of Wheat and Rice
(Buffer Stocks)
As on Wheat Rice Total Wheat Rice Total
m2
1 st April nl 74.60 135.80 210.40
2026
(b): The procurement of wheat and number of farmers benefited during the Rabi Marketing
season 2025-26 and 2026-27 are given below:
Procurement of Wheat
Rabi Marketing Numbers of farmers
Season benefited
(in LMT)
2025-26 299.75 2512823
2026-27 357.57 3482564(c): Government of India sells surplus foodgrains (Wheat and rice), beyond the Public
Distribution System (PDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) requirements, through open sale
under Open Market sales scheme (Domestic) {OMSS(D)}. This helps increase the availability of
foodgrains in the market, control inflation, ensure food security and make foodgrains more
affordable for the general population. In addition, Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were launched on
06.11.2023 and 06.02.2024, respectively, with a view to provide atta (wheat flour) and rice to
general consumers at subsidized rates under OIVISS(D) policy.
88888