The Union Government has decided to raise its wheat procurement target at the minimum support price (MSP) by 15% to 34.5 million tonnes for the current season. This adjustment aims to assist farmers affected by unseasonal rains. Specifically, the procurement targets for various states have been revised upwards.
In Madhya Pradesh, the procurement target now stands at 10 million tonnes, up from the earlier 7.8 million tonnes. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh’s target has been increased to 2.5 million tonnes from 1 million tonnes, Rajasthan to 2.35 million tonnes from 2 million tonnes, and Uttarakhand to 5,000 tonnes from 1,000 tonnes. Additionally, some wheat will also be procured from Delhi this year.
The Food Secretary, Sanjeev Chopra, mentioned that quality norms for wheat procurement have been relaxed in major wheat-growing states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This measure is intended to facilitate increased purchases from farmers impacted by unseasonal rains, enabling them to sell their produce effectively.
Chopra highlighted that the augmented procurement at MSP will contribute to the existing wheat stocks for 2026-27, estimated at around 22 million tonnes. This move is anticipated to bring the total availability of wheat close to 56.5 million tonnes, providing a buffer for market demands.
