India records 1,132 LMT wheat production in rabi 2024; government ensures ample availability

Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 21: India has recorded a total wheat production of 1,132 lac metric tonnes (LMT) during the Rabi 2024 season, ensuring ample availability of wheat across the country, the Central government has announced.

To maintain food security and curb hoarding and speculative activities, the Centre has imposed stock limits on wheat applicable to traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers, and processors across all states and union territories.

In a bid to regulate wheat stocks, the government issued the Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2024, which was implemented on June 24, 2024, and later revised on September 9, 2024, and December 11, 2024.

The wheat stock limit, originally set under this order, has now been revised and extended until March 31, 2025 to stabilize prices and ensure availability.

The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution stated:

“All wheat stocking entities are required to register on the wheat stock limit portal and update their stock position every Friday. Any entity failing to register or violating stock limits will face punitive action under Sections 6 & 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.”

Entities holding wheat stocks beyond the prescribed limits must reduce their holdings within 15 days of the notification’s issue. The Department of Food and Public Distribution is actively monitoring stock positions to control prices and ensure smooth availability of wheat across the country.

The total farm area sown under various Rabi crops this season has crossed 661.03 lakh hectares, compared to 651.42 lakh hectares in the same period last year.

The area sown under wheat alone has surged to 324.38 lakh hectares, up from 318.33 lakh hectares recorded last year, indicating a potential increase in wheat production for the season.

With favorable monsoon conditions, increased minimum support prices, and adequate input supply, the agriculture sector is expected to perform well in the coming months.

The government expects food inflation to ease and has expressed cautious optimism regarding the overall economic growth outlook.

The Centre remains committed to ensuring stable wheat prices, preventing hoarding, and securing food availability for all consumers across the country.

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