For over a decade and a half, the backbone of India’s agricultural growth has been the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) . Launched in 2007-08 to address the country’s productivity gap in staple crops, the mission achieved historic success in making India self-sufficient in rice and wheat. However, as the challenges of the 21st century shift from mere hunger to "hidden hunger" (micronutrient deficiency), the National Food Security Mission has undergone a radical and historic transformation. In 2024-25, the Government of India renamed it the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) , marking a paradigm shift from focusing solely on production to integrating nutritional security.
This article delves into the journey of the National Food Security Mission, its expanded mandate, recent policy reforms, and how it is currently charting a new direction for both "Utpadan" (Production) and "Poshan" (Nutrition).
The Genesis and Evolution of the Mission
The original National Food Security Mission was conceived following the National Development Council (NDC) resolution in 2007. Its primary objective was to break the stagnation in foodgrain production. The targets were ambitious: an additional 10 million tonnes of rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, and 2 million tonnes of pulses by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12).
The mission succeeded spectacularly, not just in meeting these targets but in sustaining the momentum. It was continued during the 12th Plan with revised targets and operational strategies. The core strength of the National Food Security Mission lay in its "intervention-based" approach—providing farmers with certified seeds, integrated nutrient management, plant protection equipment, and capacity-building training through state governments.
The 2024-25 Revamp: Why the Name Change Matters
The most significant development in the history of the National Food Security Mission occurred in 2024-25. By renaming it the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) , the government signalled that production volume alone is no longer the sole metric of success. Today, the mission focuses on increasing production of pulses, nutri-cereals, rice, wheat, and coarse cereals, but with a distinct emphasis on quality.
This shift addresses a critical national concern. While India produces enough food to feed its 1.4 billion people, high rates of anaemia and stunting persist. By integrating nutrition into the agricultural mandate, the National Food Security Mission now directly contributes to combating malnutrition at the source—the farm.
Key Reforms Under the Revamped Mission
Recent high-level reviews, including a crucial meeting in February 2025 chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, have introduced structural changes to the National Food Security Mission. These reforms are designed to make the mission climate-smart, transparent, and grassroots-oriented.
1. Promotion of Traditional and Bio-Fortified Seeds: In a major policy shift, the revamped National Food Security Mission now prioritizes traditional native seed varieties over generic high-yielding ones. These indigenous varieties are often more resilient to local climatic conditions and possess higher nutritional value. The mission has approved the identification, cataloging, and geo-tagging of these varieties. Simultaneously, it aggressively promotes climate-friendly and bio-fortified seed varieties, which are engineered to contain higher levels of iron, zinc, and protein.
2. Panchayat-Level Seed Infrastructure: To truly democratize agricultural development, the National Food Security Mission has integrated the Seeds and Planting Material Sub-Mission (SMSP). Approval has been granted to establish seed processing and storage units at the Gram Panchayat level. This ensures that farmers no longer need to travel to distant towns for quality seeds; instead, local seed banks registered with the PPVFRA (Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority) will provide easy access.
3. Digital Monitoring for Transparency: One of the historical challenges of agricultural missions has been the leakage of benefits. The updated National Food Security Mission mandates digital monitoring through platforms like Krishi Mapper and the Saathi Portal. This ensures that subsidies for demonstrations, certified seed production, and distribution reach the intended farmers and are not intercepted by intermediaries.
4. Increased Subsidies and Support: To cushion farmers against input cost inflation, the government has increased subsidy rates under key components of the National Food Security Mission, including demonstrations of new varieties and the distribution of certified seeds.
Expanding the Crop Basket: The Rise of Shri Anna
A distinct "new direction" of the National Food Security Mission is the aggressive promotion of coarse cereals and millets, collectively branded as "Shree Anna." Recognizing millets as nutritional powerhouses, the government has provided flexibility to states under the Pradhan Mantri-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). States can now promote millets based on regional priorities, with approval from the State Level Sanctioning Committee.
This is a strategic move to diversify the Indian plate. Unlike rice and wheat, millets require less water, are hardy against climate change, and offer superior micronutrient profiles. By including Shree Anna under the National Food Security Mission, the government is linking ancient grains with modern nutritional science.
Synergy with Distribution Networks: Connecting Farm to Table
It is impossible to discuss the National Food Security Mission without acknowledging its symbiotic relationship with the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. While NFSM/NFSNM focuses on "Production", the NFSA focuses on "Distribution".
Today, the NFSA legally entitles 81.35 crore citizens to subsidized food grains. The production gains driven by the National Food Security Mission ensure that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has adequate stocks to supply through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Furthermore, the nutrition agenda of the revamped mission aligns perfectly with the Rice Fortification Initiative. As of 2024, 100% of rice supplied under government schemes (PMGKAY, ICDS, PM-POSHAN) is fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12. The National Food Security Mission contributes to this ecosystem by promoting the production of paddy varieties suitable for fortification.
Impact on the Ground: Productivity and Economic Benefits
The efficacy of the National Food Security Mission has been validated through independent research. A study conducted in the wheat-growing belts of Rajasthan highlighted that beneficiary farmers of the mission possessed significantly higher knowledge levels regarding improved agricultural technologies compared to non-beneficiaries.
Most importantly, the economic benefits are tangible. The same study revealed that 77.50% of beneficiary respondents derived high economic benefits (exceeding Rs 55,362 per annum) from wheat cultivation under the mission. This demonstrates that the National Food Security Mission is not just a food production program; it is a potent instrument for enhancing farm-level income.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Future Direction
Despite its successes, the new direction of the National Food Security Mission faces hurdles. Field studies indicate constraints such as the lack of timely availability of seed minikits at the local level, insufficient technological guidance, and the high cost of improved inputs.
The government’s recent decision to integrate the mission with the Krishi Samvardhan Yojana and its focus on establishing storage units at the Panchayat level are direct responses to these challenges.
As we move forward, the success of the National Food Security Mission will be measured by two metrics: the continued growth of the Rabi and Kharif harvests (recorded at 565.46 lakh hectares in 2024-25) and the decline in nutritional deficiencies across the country.
Conclusion
The transformation of the National Food Security Mission into the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission is more than a bureaucratic rename. It is a philosophical reorientation. It acknowledges that food security is not just about filling granaries, but about nourishing citizens.
By merging high-volume production with high-nutrition value, promoting climate-resilient traditional seeds, and leveraging digital technology for transparency, the mission is setting a global standard for agricultural reform. As India marches towards becoming a developed nation, the National Food Security Mission stands as the bedrock upon which a healthy, productive, and food-secure India is being built.
Replies