Indian Government in Search of Hidden 40 Million Tonnes of Wheat Amid Rising Prices

In response to a continuous rise in retail prices of wheat and atta (flour) since May, the Indian government is taking measures to track down an estimated 40 million tonnes of hoarded grain within the country. This is an effort to increase domestic supplies and stabilize prices. Various strategies, including government-to-government imports, are under consideration.

The Agriculture Ministry has recorded a record wheat production of 112.74 million tonnes for the 2022-23 crop year. However, only 9-10 million tonnes of this stock has been officially declared since the imposition of stock limits. This has led to concerns over the location of the remaining grain stock.

The government’s main objective is to alleviate the economic burden on consumers, who have been grappling with increasing costs for basic staples. The uncovering of the undisclosed wheat reserves could play a significant role in managing and potentially reducing the current price levels.

However, the search for the hidden wheat is a challenging task. The government is employing various methods to locate and account for the stockpiled grain. The resolution of this situation is crucial to ensure food security and price stability for consumers across the country.