With a 303 LMT wheat target, the Centre accelerates tech-driven procurement and distribution reforms under Department of Food and Public Distribution

The Government of India has set an ambitious wheat procurement target of 303 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27, as it accelerates reforms in foodgrain procurement and the Public Distribution System (PDS). The review was led by the Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution in a high-level meeting with State Food Secretaries and the Food Corporation of India in New Delhi.

The meeting assessed key factors impacting procurement, storage, and distribution, while finalizing procurement estimates across commodities. Paddy procurement for KMS 2025–26 (Rabi crop) has been pegged at 76 LMT (in rice terms), alongside 7.79 LMT of coarse grains, including millets (Shri Anna), reinforcing the government’s push for nutritional diversification.

A strong emphasis was placed on modernizing supply chains and enhancing transparency. The Centre is expanding pilots such as QR code tagging on foodgrain bags, successfully tested in Andhra Pradesh, and scaling digital platforms like Anna Chakra for supply chain optimization. Integration with Vehicle Location Tracking Systems (VLTS) and onboarding of state warehouses onto the Depot Darpan portal are expected to streamline logistics and reduce leakages.

Policy innovation is also underway, with pilots for distributing improved rice with up to 10 per cent broken grains, and reforms in subsidy delivery through initiatives like SCAN, Smart PDS, and the use of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). AI-led tools such as ASHA are being explored to further enhance efficiency and accountability.

States showcased best practices, including QR-based tracking and automated subsidy billing in Andhra Pradesh, use of Agristack in Chhattisgarh, and doorstep delivery models in Gujarat.

With a combination of higher procurement targets, digital transformation, and collaborative federal execution, the Centre is positioning India’s food security architecture for greater efficiency, transparency, and resilience.