Per capita availability of foodgrains and pulses rises to 463 grams per day in 2011

The per capita availability of foodgrains and pulses has increased to about 463 grams per day in 2011 (provisional) compared to 436 grams per day in 2008, as per the written information provided by Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries. The National Food Security Bill, 2011 was introduced in Lok Sabha in December 22, 2011 and as per its provision the targeted public distribution system and other food based welfare schemes will require an estimated 60.74 million tonnes of foodgrains annually.

To meet the demand of growing population, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was implemented in 11th Plan (2007-2012) so that the foodgrains production can be increased by 20 million tonnes (10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of pulses) by the year 2011-12 (XI Plan).

The mission has delivered its envisaged outcomes and an additional foodgrains production of about 40 million tonnes has already been achieved by 2011-12 against pre-NFSM year of 2006-07. Besides, it is estimated that the highest ever foodgrain production of 257.44 million tonnes will be reached during 2011-12 (4th Advance Estimate), which is 13.44 million tonnes higher than the Planning Commission’s projected demand of 244 million tonnes.