What is the significance of India's rice procurement and wheat procurement by the government so far
Explanation about the current status of India's rice and wheat procurement by the government.
- India is one of the largest producers and consumers of rice and wheat in the world.
- The government procures rice and wheat from farmers at MSP (Minimum Support Price) to ensure a fair price for farmers and maintain food security.
- As of June 2021, the government has procured over 398 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 431 lakh metric tonnes of wheat in the current 2020-21 season.
- This procurement has helped stabilize prices in the market and prevent farmer distress due to falling prices.
- The procured rice and wheat are stored in government warehouses and distributed through various welfare schemes like PDS (Public Distribution System) and mid-day meal programs.
- The government's procurement policy has also helped India become self-sufficient in food grain production and reduce reliance on imports.
- However, critics argue that the MSP system is not sustainable in the long run and may lead to overproduction and wastage.
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