UP hikes wheat procurement target by 10% to 5.5 million tonnes

Farmers' total payout to hit Rs 10,000 crore mark if target is achieved

In the crucial election year with the farmers’ issues gaining currency with the political parties, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has hiked the wheat procurement target by 10% over last year to 5.5 million tonnes in the coming rabi marketing season 2019.

Last year, the state had posted record wheat procurement figures of 5.3 MT against the seasonal target of 5 MT during the two and half month period starting April 1, 2018.

After coming to power in March 2017, the procurement of major cash crops of wheat and paddy has clocked consistent improvement as compared to the