Procurement of wheat likely to be higher at 35 mt
Timely sowing, new and more weather-resistant varieties, with timely rain, have triggered hopes for a higher crop and larger procurement
 "Procurement of wheat likely to be higher at 35 mt")
Wheat procurement in 2013-14 is expected to be higher than last year. Timely sowing, new and more weather-resistant varieties, with timely rain, have triggered hopes for a higher crop and larger procurement.
The Food Corporation of India is yet to prepare final estimates for procurement but sources told Business Standard this could touch 35 million tonnes, about 40 per cent higher than last year. The procurement in 2012-13 was 25 mt. According to sources, a meeting by the food secretary is scheduled on February 17 to discuss procurement.
The target for procurement last year was actually 44 mt. This could not be achieved due to some crop damage from rain in Punjab and Haryana towards the end of the season and heavy buying from the private traders in Madhya Pradesh (MP). These three contributed 23 mt of the wheat last year (Punjab 10.9 mt, MP 6.3 mt and Haryana 5.9 mt).
According to some private traders, the procurement this year would be without any laxity, as this is an election one. Farmers prefer to sell wheat to the government because the purchase price of private traders is inconsistent.
The Food Corporation of India is yet to prepare final estimates for procurement but sources told Business Standard this could touch 35 million tonnes, about 40 per cent higher than last year. The procurement in 2012-13 was 25 mt. According to sources, a meeting by the food secretary is scheduled on February 17 to discuss procurement.
The target for procurement last year was actually 44 mt. This could not be achieved due to some crop damage from rain in Punjab and Haryana towards the end of the season and heavy buying from the private traders in Madhya Pradesh (MP). These three contributed 23 mt of the wheat last year (Punjab 10.9 mt, MP 6.3 mt and Haryana 5.9 mt).
According to some private traders, the procurement this year would be without any laxity, as this is an election one. Farmers prefer to sell wheat to the government because the purchase price of private traders is inconsistent.
Raj Kumar Phor, a farmer in Karnal district (Haryana) said, “Many farmers in our area have sown the early varieties to save on yield if the temperature becomes unfavourable. Cool weather is more conducive for the crop in the maturing stage. This happened in 2012 and resulted in an incredible harvest.” He added the winter monsoon had been adequate and occurred at the right time. “We registered a yield of 26-27 quintals a hectare last year and expect up to 30 quintals this season.”
The Director of Wheat Research Institute, Karnal Indu Sharma corroborated that impact of better technology and good weather (if prevails till March) may help getting higher yields.