The food security situation has deteriorated as compared to the previous quarter though the level of food insecurity was within a range of seasonal deterioration that is typically observed during t

For more than a year, the government has been holding record foodgrain stocks. The law related to providing food security is pending in Parliament.

Recommends 5 kg of foodgrains, down from the earlier 7 kg

A day before the Congress’s ‘Chintan Shivir’, a Parliament Standing Committee on Thursday presented the much-awaited report on the Food Security Bill, giving legal entitlement of uniform five kg of foodgrains to 75 per cent of the country’s rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population without any distinction. The grains will be distributed at a flat rate of Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for coarse cereals.

Recommends a mandatory coverage of 67 per cent of population for subsidised grains

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food has recommended a mandatory coverage of 67 per cent of the country’s population for subsidised rice, wheat and millets under the National Food Security Bill with a reduced and uniform monthly entitlement of 5 kg per person. As opposed to an overwhelming demand from States and civil society groups for universal public distribution system to ensure “food and nutrition security,” the UPA government’s ambitious Bill proposes coverage of 75 per cent rural and 50 per cent urban population at 2011 census figures.

Cabinet may clear proposal today to boost agri exports

In a major fillip to India’s processed food exports, the Cabinet is set to clear a policy under which processed foods from agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice, onion and milk would not be subject to any export ban or restrictions. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is set to clear the proposal on Thursday to exempt 14 types of processed food from the purview of export restrictions including oats, milk products, dehydrated onions, wheat and rice products.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said Andhra Pradesh had become the first state in India to provide food security for the poor with his government’s “Mana Biyyam” (our rice) scheme.

The scheme is aimed at providing quality rice for just Rs 1 per kg through the public distribution system. The scheme will cover nearly 2.2 crore white ration card holders in the state at an annual expenditure of Rs 9,600 crore.

IMPHAL: Manipur was one of the eight States rewarded for significant agricultural productions. President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee handed over to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi a cash of Rs 2 crore, one citation and one certificate in a solemn function held today at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

From among the small State category Manipur and Nagaland have been selected. Officials did not furnish details of the reported glut production in agriculture in Manipur. Because Manipur has been importing even ubiquitous items like rice, flour and all other food items from other States in general and Assam in particular.

Haryana has bagged Krishi Karman Award for the best performing state in wheat category for the year 2011-12. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda received the award from President Pranab Mukherjee during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi today.

Two farmers from the state have also been given award of Rs 1 lakh each along with citation for the highest production of wheat per hectare. Ram Kumar of Sisai Bolan village of Hisar district produced 7,700 kg wheat per hectare, which is the highest ever. The other is a woman namely Anita from Pasina Khurd village of Panipat district, who produced 6,320 kg wheat per hectare.

NILPHAMARI, JAN 13: Chemical fertilizer and insecticide free potato, wheat and mustard are being cultivated in Domar upazila of the district by NGO Proshika in recent times.

The government declared much of the central and southern Wheat Belt a natural disaster area on Wednesday due to persistent drought that imperils this year's winter wheat harvest.