29% uptick in Madhya Pradesh farmers registering to sell wheat at MSP

Contrary to perception, farmers’ registering to sell wheat in Madhya Pradesh through official channels has seen a 29 per cent jump in the 2022-23 crop season (July to June) over the previous season, the latest data from the state government showed.

The registration window, which was extended following heavy unseasonal rain in the state, was officially closed a few days ago and saw heavy interest from farmers in major wheat-growing districts of the state, officials said.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the leading wheat-producing states and also a major contributor to the central pool.

For FY24, it has targeted to procure 8.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat, significantly higher than the 4.6 mt that it purchased in FY23.

Among other major wheat producers, procurement in Punjab is targeted at 13.2 mt, Haryana at 17.5 mt, and UP at 3.5 mt.

“The productivity of wheat in Madhya Pradesh is excellent this year and we are expecting a per hectare yield of up to 7 tonnes of some varieties,” said Gyanendra Singh, director of the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR).

In a related development, farmers in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore grain market staged a protest on Tuesday, alleging that traders were buying their produce at prices lower than the minimum support price (MSP).

The state government earlier postponed procurement of wheat in Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Narmadapuram divisions from March 28-31, citing high moisture content in the crop due to unseasonal rain a few days ago.

However, it had to withdraw the order on Tuesday after farmers’ uproar.

Indore district Supply Controller M L Maru told PTI that the order has been withdrawn and the government procurement of wheat at MSP has been restored in the four divisions.

Registrations of Farmers For Selling Wheat to Government Agencies
In major districts of MP
Districts	2023-24	2022-23	% Change
Ujjain	104187	94924	9.76
Dewas	62969	59316	6.16
Narmadapuram	79918	71743	11.39
Rajgarh	82269	55250	48.90
Vidisha	86217	65113	32.41
Satna	80937	69795	15.96
Total*	1981541	1531370	29.40

*Total might not match as all districts haven'e been included
 

Source: MP Government