India Plans Major Foodgrain Reforms Ahead of Kharif Season
In a significant meeting chaired by Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), the Government of India laid out critical reforms for foodgrain procurement and distribution on September 1, 2026, in New Delhi. The meeting brought together Food Secretaries from various states and Union Territories, alongside officials from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), to discuss pressing issues in food security.
Paddy Procurement Estimates Set at 708.64 LMT
After thorough discussions, the estimated paddy procurement for the upcoming Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026–27 has been set at an impressive 708.64 LMT. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of improved rice standards under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare initiatives. It was decided that raw rice procured would now allow for 10% broken grains instead of the previous 25%, while parboiled rice will permit 5% broken grains, a notable reduction from the existing 16%.
Procurement of this improved rice is expected to begin with KMS 2026–27 and will gradually extend across the states. Officials were tasked with evaluating milling capacities and mapping out comprehensive plans for necessary upgrades.
Strong Focus on Coarse Grains and Technology Integration
The conference also addressed procurement strategies for coarse grains and millets, noting that 16.38 LMT of these grains were successfully procured during the 2025–26 period, marking a five-year record. A new initiative featuring an AI-based image validation system, set to roll out in KMS 2026–27, was highlighted to enhance efficiency in procurement through the Procurement Centre Smart-Assessment Portal (PCSAP).
Additionally, joint physical verification processes were discussed, with a shift towards online verification of paddy expected at the procurement season’s close starting KMS 2026–27.
Acknowledging State Achievements
The meeting recognized several states for their outstanding performance, such as Andhra Pradesh for its effective implementation of the Improved Rice Scheme and Punjab for excelling in joint physical verification and PCSAP processes.
New Storage Policy and Technological Advancements
Another critical topic was the new storage policy aimed at tackling mismatches in procurement and access. The policy plans to create an additional 131 LMT of storage capacity, with contributions from various states and the FCI. States were urged to submit actionable timelines for implementation and ensure foodgrain storage facilities are adequately assessed through the Depot Darpan Portal.
Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the deployment of a Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) for real-time GPS tracking of foodgrain transport under the Public Distribution System (PDS), with a completion target set for December 2026.
PDS Reforms and Digital Initiatives
Key initiatives to reform the PDS were also covered, focusing on SMART-PDS and SARTHAK-PDS frameworks, which aim to streamline operational efficiencies within Fair Price Shops (FPS). An ambitious pilot for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Digital Rupee has been launched in several Union Territories and states, with plans for broader implementation.
As of July 30, 2026, the e-KYC completion rate sits at an impressive 90.64%. The department introduced new standard operating procedures to streamline data replication and mobile number seeding processes, thereby facilitating better food delivery services to beneficiaries.
The meeting concluded with strong emphasis on vigilance mechanisms, urging states to continuously functionalize Vigilance Committees and implement Aadhaar-based authentication by shops to ensure accountability and transparency in foodgrain receipt.
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