Wheat procurement up by 2% to 26.7 million tonnes so far

NEW DELHI: Government's wheat procurement has increased by nearly 2 per cent to 26.7 million tonnes (MT) so far in 2015-16 marketing year.

"Till May 26 this season, 267,06,313 tonnes wheat has been procured by the government agencies in various wheat growing states, while during last season it was 262,86,152 tonnes on the day," Food Ministry said in a statement.

In order to give relief to farmers affected with unseasonal rains and hailstorms, the Government had relaxed quality norms for wheat procurement.

Last month, the Center had 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 state-wise basis Punjab continues to be the largest contributor to the food basket of the county with 9.86 MT of wheat procured this year so far.

Madhya Pradesh has jumped to the second position in wheat procurement with 7.21 MT, replacing Haryana which slipped to third position with 6.75 MT.

Wheat is procured mainly by state agencies and Food Corporation of India ( FCI).