Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – On August 23, 2025, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, held its fifth state-level workshop in Lucknow, focusing on food grain procurement reforms. The event, covering Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, brought together over 160 officials from state and district agencies to prepare for the upcoming paddy procurement season. This gathering is part of a nationwide push to make India’s food grain system smoother, fairer, and more tech-savvy.
The workshop, led by Ashutosh Agnihotri, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), saw senior DFPD officials like C. Shikha, IAS, Joint Secretary (Policy & FCI), in attendance. The goal was clear, streamline how food grains like wheat and paddy are bought, stored, and distributed to support India’s massive Public Distribution System (PDS). Uttar Pradesh, a top contributor to the national grain pool, plays a huge role in feeding millions through programs like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which provides free food to over 81 crore people.
Officials discussed practical ways to make procurement better. A big focus was on using digital tools to track every step, from farmers selling their crops to grains reaching ration shops. This push for transparency aims to cut down on leaks and ensure farmers get fair prices through the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. The workshop also served as a training ground, helping officers at all levels get ready for a busy season. With digital platforms now central to procurement, attendees got hands-on tips to handle new tech smoothly.
Agnihotri emphasized teamwork between the central and state governments. “Working together, we can make sure farmers benefit and food reaches those who need it most,” he said during the event. Uttar Pradesh’s role is critical, as it supplies a massive share of wheat and paddy to the central pool. The reforms discussed aim to prevent issues like distress sales, where farmers are forced to sell at low prices, and ensure grains are stored safely to avoid waste.
This wasn’t the first workshop in the series. Earlier ones took place in Chennai, Raipur, Chandigarh, and Haryana, each tailored to local needs but united in purpose – strengthening India’s food security. The Lucknow event stood out for its focus on UP’s unique challenges, like managing huge procurement volumes and reaching remote areas. Attendees also explored green logistics, like using electric vehicles for grain transport, to cut costs and environmental impact.
Local farmers and officials are hopeful about the changes. The DFPD’s efforts tie into bigger goals, like tackling hunger (India ranks 105th on the Global Hunger Index) and supporting Sustainable Development Goals like Zero Hunger and No Poverty.
As the paddy season nears, the workshop has set the stage for a more efficient system. With state agencies, FCI, and groups like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) working together, the hope is to make procurement fairer for farmers and more reliable for families depending on PDS. The DFPD plans to keep up these workshops across 18 major procuring states, ensuring no corner of India is left behind in the fight for food security.
