Wheat procurement rises 2% to 27.04 million tonnes

NEW DELHI: Wheat procurement by the government has increased by 2 per cent to 27.04 million tonnes (MT) so far during the current marketing year.

The total wheat procured during the same period last year was 26.5 million tonnes, according to official data.

Meanwhile, for the current marketing year (April-March), the Centre had relaxed quality norms for wheat procurement in order to give relief to farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorms.

The Center has decided to bear value cut, if any, imposed for shriveled, broken and luster lost grains, so that farmers get full Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce.

According to sources, most of the wheat procured under relaxed specifications, is either shriveled or there is loss of lustre.

Meanwhile, on a state-wise basis, Punjab continues to be the largest contributor to the food basket of the county with 9.95 MT of wheat procured this year so far.

Madhya Pradesh has jumped to the second position in wheat procurement with 7.26 MT, replacing Haryana which slipped to third position with 6.75 MT.

Wheat procurement mainly starts in April and a majority of the commodity is procured till the first week of June.