India is on track to becoming a foodgrain-surplus country, with projections estimating foodgrain production to grow at 2% and reach approximately 3,357 lakh tonnes for 2024-25. This assessment, however, does not come from the NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Agriculture, or any farmers' union but from the trade and industry organization, PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).
The question arises&mdash;should we, as Indian citizens, take pride in this surplus? If so, why? The reality is that those responsible for producing this surplus&mdash;Indian farmers&mdash;are far from celebrating. Many are struggling to fetch remunerative prices for their produce, barely making ends meet.
Farmers&rsquo; Income and Economic Struggles
Data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) reveals stark disparities in farmers' earnings across states. While a farmer in Meghalaya earns an average of Rs 29,348 per month, a farmer in Jharkhand earns just Rs 4,895 monthly. Can such an income sustain a household? Alarmingly, even some farmers themselves might rely on the Public Distribution System (PDS) for their food needs. This contradiction raises a critical question: If India is foodgrain surplus, why aren&rsquo;t our farmers self-sufficient?
Widespread Dependence on PDS
According to National Food Security data, a staggering 67% of India&rsquo;s population&mdash;93 crore people&mdash;depend on PDS for subsidized food grains. However, government and public sector bank records state that only 2.5% to 5% of India&rsquo;s population falls below the poverty line (BPL), which should equate to about 7 to 10 crore people. Meanwhile, a World Bank report suggests that 12.9 crore people in India live in extreme poverty, with numbers likely even higher when considering the lower-income groups above the extreme poverty threshold.
Additionally, data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, presented before the Supreme Court, indicates that another 8 crore people who qualify for PDS support are currently excluded from the scheme. This suggests that more than 100 crore Indians require subsidized food grains&mdash;far more than official poverty estimates would indicate.
The Government&rsquo;s Procurement and Storage Challenge
Another major talking point is the Food Corporation of India&rsquo;s (FCI) annual procurement. On average, FCI procures 1,000 to 1,200 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and paddy every year. In 2023-24 alone, it procured 1,044 lakh metric tonnes from 1.27 crore farmers. FCI&rsquo;s total storage capacity is approximately 414.74 lakh metric tonnes, which might seem impressive on paper.
However, the reality is grim. According to a parliamentary standing committee report covering 2017-2020, Rs 12.6 crore worth of food grains were damaged due to pest infestations, exposure to rain, floods, leakages in godowns, procurement of poor-quality stocks, and official negligence. Additionally, transit losses amounted to Rs 281 crore between April and October 2020 alone. These inefficiencies highlight systemic flaws that counteract the benefits of surplus production.
A Reality Check: Is Growth Truly Inclusive?
Despite being a foodgrain-surplus country, the ground realities paint a contradictory picture. Farmers remain dissatisfied with their earnings, a significant portion of the population depends on subsidized food grains, and large-scale wastage continues due to inadequate storage infrastructure.
The fundamental question remains&mdash;if India&rsquo;s economic growth has not trickled down to those at the bottom of the pyramid, can we truly claim progress? If only a small fraction of the population benefits from economic advancements while the majority still struggles, what is there to be proud of?
True pride in food surplus should come when:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Farmers earn sustainable incomes that allow them to thrive, not just survive.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">A majority of Indians can afford food at market prices without requiring subsidies.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Food security is achieved without massive government intervention.</li>
</ul>
Only when these conditions are met can India genuinely celebrate its foodgrain surplus. Until then, the surplus remains an illusion of progress rather than a reality of prosperity.

Despite surplus foodgrain, farmers struggle & millions depend on PDS. Is this true progress?

India's Food Surplus: A Hollow Achievement?

Despite surplus foodgrain, farmers struggle & millions depend on PDS. Is this true progress?

February 19, 2025 | 17:48 IST