Punjab exceeds wheat procurement target

CHANDIGARH: Punjab has surpassed wheat procurement target with crop purchase reaching 115.64 lakh tonnes (LT) for the ongoing Rabi marketing season 2014-15.

Achieving wheat procurement target came at a time when untimely rains accompanied by strong winds just before wheat harvesting was feared to have adverse impact on overall yield.

Punjab was eyeing wheat procurement of 115 LT for central pool for current season.

Wheat procurement has touched 115.64 lakh tonne, up by 5 per cent as against crop purchase in corresponding period of last season, official spokesman said here.

A sum of Rs 14,378.21 crore has been paid to farmers for their produce, he said.

Out of total purchase, government owned procurement agencies 112.86 LT while private traders bought 2.78 LT.

Among government agencies, FCI procured 18.07 LT.

Meanwhile, wheat arrivals in Haryana were up by 10 per cent with crop purchase reaching 64.40 LT so far in various mandis during the current procurement season.

Wheat purchase stood at 58.57 LT during the corresponding period last year.

A Food and Supplies Department spokesman said the government agencies have procured 64.38 LT of wheat, whereas 2,779 tonnes of wheat have been purchased by traders.

Haryana has set a target to procure 65 LT for current season.