India�s current stock of rice and wheat is significantly higher than the prescribed buffer norms, and sowing activity during the ongoing summer season has also increased compared to last year. In a high-level meeting held in Delhi, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to ensure timely procurement and payment for crops like chana (gram), masoor (lentil), urad, and arhar (pigeon pea). He emphasized that farmers should not face delays in receiving payments for their produce. Officials informed the minister that there has been notable progress in the production of paddy, pulses, millets (Shri Anna), and oilseeds. As of May 2, 2025, paddy sowing had increased by 3.44 lakh hectares compared to the previous year � rising from 28.57 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 32.02 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Similarly, the sowing of pulses increased from 18.47 lakh hectares to 20.67 lakh hectares. The area under moong and urad cultivation also expanded by 1.70 lakh hectares and 0.50 lakh hectares respectively. Vegetable crops have also seen increased sowing. Onion cultivation rose by 2.82 lakh hectares, growing from 9.76 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 12.58 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Potato sowing area increased from 19.56 to 20.03 lakh hectares. The meeting noted that tomato and onion sowing is progressing smoothly this season. It was also reported that the weather and water reservoir conditions across the country are favorable. Total water storage in 161 major reservoirs stands at 117% of last year�s levels and 114% of the ten-year average for the same period � indicating a healthy water situation. The Agriculture Minister stated that the actual stock of rice and wheat is much above the buffer norms. As of now, rice stock stands at 389.05 lakh tonnes compared to the buffer norm of 135.80 lakh tonnes, and wheat stock is 177.08 lakh tonnes against the buffer norm of 74.60 lakh tonnes. Combined, the rice and wheat stock is 566.13 lakh tonnes � far exceeding the combined buffer requirement of 210.40 lakh tonnes. The minister instructed that state governments be especially proactive in purchasing pulses from farmers and ensuring that procurement under MSP (Minimum Support Price) is followed by prompt payment. He emphasized the need to strengthen the system so that the time gap between procurement and payment is minimized, ensuring that farmers receive their dues as quickly as possible.