100 lakh MT wheat procurement targeted in MP

Madhya Pradesh is all set for procurement of 100 lakh MT wheat in the Rabi season this year for which 17.43 lakh farmers have been registered so far.
State Civil Supplies Corporation has been appointed as the nodal agency to procure wheat on support price which would be done from March 18, an official release said here today.
Wheat procurement will start in Ujjain, Bhopal, Indore and Narmadapuram divisions from March 18 which will last till May 19 and in Chambal, Gwalior, Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur and Sagar divisions which will be done from March 25 to May 27.
The Civil Supplies Corporation will procure wheat in 24 districts and MARKFED in 27 districts.

Large scale preparations have been made in the five districts of Hoshangabad, Harda, Sehore, Raisen and Bhopal where wheat procurement is done on a massive scale.
For assessing quantum of possible procurement in Madhya Pradesh, verification of 41.42 lakh hectare irrigated and 72,900 unirrigated land has been done by patwaris so far.

Effective arrangements have also been made for safe storage of procured wheat and the civil supplies corporation has arranged 4.16 lakh gunny bags, the release said.
State Warehousing Corporation has arranged to store 93 lakh MT wheat in godowns and 10 lakh MT in silo bags.
The state government will ensure payment to farmers within seven days after wheat procurement, the release said.

Last year, Rs 9,527 crore was paid to farmers against wheat procurement of which Rs 953 crore was bonus. Wheat was procured from farmers last year at a support price of Rs 1,350 per quintal on which Rs 150 per quintal was given as bonus.
All information about farmers along with their registration has been computerised at concerning procurement centres. SMS alert facility has also been provided to farmers to inform when they have to reach procurement centres to sell wheat and when payment will be made to them.
Last year, 63.51 lakh MT wheat was procured on support price in the state, the release added.