The Wheat Sector in India: Production, Policies and Food Security

Abstract

Over the past two decades (1990–2010) India has experienced a dramatic turnaround in its economic conditions and has achieved unprecedented levels of prosperity. The agricultural sector in India has undergone significant reforms that have moved India from being a net exporter of food grains to being self-sufficient. This chapter investigates the Indian wheat sector. In particular, we discuss the current production and consumption of wheat in India. We discuss wheat productivity by location (states), export capacity and the agricultural policies that support wheat production. We also investigate the impact of climate change on wheat production. Finally, we present food and nutrition security issues in India. We conclude that, although India may be self-sufficient in food, the hunger problem in the country has shifted from malnutrition to undernutrition.