Parliament Question: Buffer stock of key commodities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 362 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026 BUFFER STOCK OF KEY COMMODITIES 362 SHRI PARIM AL NATHWANI: Will the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution be pleased to state (a): the current level of buffer stock maintained for key commodities like Wheat and Rice; (b): whether there is any shortage or surplus in buffer stocks; and (C): the strategies adopted to ensure adequate buffer stocks to tackle emergencies? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) (a): The Buffer Norms of food grains for the Central Pool are as under: - Fig. in Lakh Buffer Norms As on Rice Wheat Total 1s t April 135.8 74.6 210.4 1 st July 135.4 275.8 411.2 1 st Oct 102.5 205.2 307.7 1 st Jan 76.1 138.0 214.1 (b): The current stock position of rice and wheat (as on 27.01.2026) is 331.52 LMT & 261.01 LMT, respectively, which is well above the stocking norms. (c): To ensure availability of food grains during emergencies and to maintain food security, the Government maintains buffer stocks of key commodities such as wheat and rice in accordance with prescribed buffer stock norms. Adequate quantities are procured during harvest seasons at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through central and de-centralized procurement mechanisms. The buffer stocks are managed through scientific storage practices, periodic review of stock position, and regular rotation of food grains to prevent deterioration. #####