The procurement of wheat by the government has increased by 2% to 27.04 million tonnes (MT) so far during the current marketing year, compared to 26.5 MT of wheat procured during the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Centre had relaxed quality norms for wheat procurement for the current marketing year (April-March), in order to give relief to farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorms.
On a state-wise basis, Punjab continues to be the largest contributor to the food basket of the county with 9.95 MT of wheat procured this year so far. Madhya Pradesh has jumped to the second position in wheat procurement with 7.26 MT, replacing Haryana which slipped to third position with 6.75 MT.
Wheat procurement mainly starts in April and a majority of the commodity is procured till the first week of June.