Wheat procurement gains momentum during lockdown

NEW DELHI: Amid the nationwide lock down, the wheat procurement is fast picking up. The procurement exercise, which kicked off on April 15 in majority of states, is being aggressively driven in Punjab, which is the largest contributor so far with 48.27 lakh tonnes out of 88.61 lakh tonnes. Haryana with 19.07 lakh tonnes has also contributed substantially to the central pool.

“The procurement exercise is likely to continue till June 30. However, looking at restrictions during lock down, period may get extended by another 15 days. We are hopeful of achieving the target of 49 million tonnes this year,” said a senior food ministry official.

While procurement, Food Corporation of India (FCI), the central agency which procures and distributes food grains on government’s behalf, has dispatched 58.44 lakh tonnes of food grains through 2087 train loads from surplus to consuming states during the lock down period.


“Unloading of 1909 rakes carrying 53.47 LMT stocks was also done during this period, despite severe constraints posed due to declaration of hotspots and containment zones in many of the key unloading centers in consuming states,” the official said.

He said that the food ministry has also made adequate arrangements for distributing food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), which entitles 80 million poor people 5 kg free food grains for three months till June.

“Distribution is progressing well. Union Territories of Ladakh and Lakshadweep have already completed lifting of full quota for 3 months. Another 7 states are lifting June month quota whereas 20 states are currently lifting May month quota. 8 states are lifting April month quota, which is expected to be completed by month end,” he said.

In the case of West Bengal, where additional allocation for 3 months is about 9 Lakh MT, plans have already been drawn to move about 227 train loads of rice to various parts of the state concurrently from 4 states i.e. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to West Bengal to ensure availability of sufficient food grains in a short span of time.