Stating that the situation on the food front is alarming, he said: “Every state has to take interest in improving productivity and production of all types of cereals, oilseeds and pulses. If we don’t take action now, India will have to import all these items soon.”

“There are reports from organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, that predict a global foodgrain shortage in the next 10 years,” Pawar added.

The minister said the country has witnessed a change in the food habits of the people, especially the young, many of whom have switched to wheat from rice.

Last year, the government imported wheat after a gap of six years despite a rise in domestic production to 74.89 million tonnes (from the previous year’s 69.35 MT). The shortfall was 4 MT last year, and the government imported 1.8 MT wheat.

“We have never seen the price of wheat rising so high in the international market. It has increased from $180 to $400 in six months,” Pawar said.