'We should take care to consume less to save food grains,' he said, adding that as per official records India has a foodstock buffer for just 13 months.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an aid package of Rs.23,071 crore to meet the financial burden caused by the 'unprecedented drought'.

A 11-member central team Wednesday embarked on a three-day visit to the drought-hit districts.

The drought has affected about 1.26 crore families in 26 districts with paddy coverage showing an overall shortfall of 57 percent.