Wheat procurement exceeds last year's level at nearly 31 MT

The government has purchased 30.87 million tonne (MT) wheat directly from farmers within the first 40 days of the current marketing year, surpassing the last year's total procurement.

It was 30.82 MT in the year-ago period.

The procurement target for the 2018-19 marketing year (April-March) is 32 MT.

Wheat is procured at the minimum support price and the grain is used for distribution through PDS and other welfare schemes.

"The procurement is almost completed in Punjab and Haryana, while it is continuing in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh," a senior Food Ministry official told PTI.

About 32.86 MT of fresh wheat was brought to mandis for sale, of which the government has procured 30.87 MT at the support price.

As per the official data, Punjab and Haryana have procured 12.34 MT and 8.53 MT, respectively, exceeding their set target for the current year.

Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are lagging behind as they have purchased 5.90 MT and 2.7 MT each so far this year.

"Payment is being done online within two working days. There has not been any problem," the official said.

Although wheat marketing year runs from April-March, the bulk of procurement is done in first three months. Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies undertake purchase at the minimum support price.

As per the second estimate, wheat output is likely to decline by 1.42 per cent to 97.11 MT in the 2017-18 crop year.