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India Aims to Be World's 'Food Basket' with Record Grain Output, Says Minister

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated India is determined to become the world's 'food basket,' citing record agricultural production. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for achieving a foodgrain output of around 357 million tonnes, enhancing food security and farmer incomes. Chouhan highlighted that India is now the world's largest rice producer and has seen record yields in wheat, mustard, soybean, and groundnut. The minister also emphasized a push towards natural farming and increasing pulses and horticulture production, while alleging poor implementation of central schemes in West Bengal.

Key Points: India on Path to Become World's Food Basket, Says Chouhan

  • Record foodgrain output of ~357 mn tonnes
  • World's largest rice producer
  • Focus on pulses and horticulture growth
  • Push for natural farming along rivers
  • Allegations of scheme lapses in West Bengal
2 min read

India determined to become world's 'food basket': Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlights India's record foodgrain production and global recognition as an agricultural powerhouse.

"India is currently witnessing record foodgrain production and the country's agricultural capabilities are being widely recognised across the world. - Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

New Delhi, March 10

India is steadily moving towards becoming the world's 'food basket' with record agricultural production and supportive government policies, Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Chouhan said the Centre is making continuous efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and improve farmers' incomes.

He also alleged that several central schemes are not being properly implemented in West Bengal, due to which poor farmers in the state are being deprived of the benefits of key welfare programmes.

"India is currently witnessing record foodgrain production and the country's agricultural capabilities are being widely recognised across the world," Chouhan stated.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's total foodgrain output has reached a record level of around 357 million tonnes, strengthening both food security and farmers' incomes," he explained.

Chouhan highlighted that India has become the world's largest producer of rice with output exceeding 150 million tonnes, surpassing China.

"Record production has also been achieved in several other crops including wheat, mustard, soybean and groundnut," he added.

Recalling the past, the minister said there was a time when India depended on imported wheat under the PL-480 programme, but the situation has completely changed today.

"Our warehouses are now full of wheat and rice. In fact, the government is now concerned about storage space for foodgrains," he said, adding that India's farmers and agricultural policies are being appreciated globally.

Chouhan further said that the government is also focusing on increasing the production of pulses, fruits and vegetables to strengthen nutrition security and boost farmers' incomes.

Pulses production, he noted, has increased from about 19 million tonnes earlier to around 25-26 million tonnes.

He added that horticulture production in the country has crossed 369 million tonnes, creating an important additional income source for farmers.

The Union minister also emphasised the government's push towards natural farming. Large areas along rivers such as the Ganga River are being encouraged to adopt chemical-free farming methods.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Record production is good, but is the income of the small farmer really improving? MSP issues and market access are still big problems in many states. The focus should be on ensuring farmers get fair prices, not just filling warehouses.
R
Rohit P
The push for natural farming along the Ganga is a brilliant move. It will save our sacred river from chemical pollution and produce healthier food. Hope this model is replicated across other river basins too.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in agri-tech, the numbers are impressive. The next challenge is reducing post-harvest waste and improving the supply chain. If we can solve storage and logistics, we can truly feed the world.
V
Vikram M
The minister's point about West Bengal is concerning. Politics should not come in the way of farmer welfare. All states must work with the centre to ensure schemes reach the grassroots. Kisan kalyan is above party lines.
K
Karthik V
Increasing pulses production is crucial for our nutritional security and to reduce imports. Good to see the focus on horticulture as well. A diverse food basket is stronger than one dependent on just wheat and rice.

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