Purchase Wheat | Purchase of 262 lakh tonnes of wheat from farmers on MSP so far, total payment of Rs 47,000 crore

File Photo Delhi: The Center has so far this year procured 262 lakh tonnes of wheat at minimum support price (MSP) and paid nearly Rs 47,000 crore to farmers. The Food Ministry said in a statement, “The procurement of wheat during the current Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24 is progressing smoothly. The rising procurement of wheat in the current season till May 30 is 262 lakh tonnes, which is 74 lakh tonnes more than last year’s total procurement of 188 lakh tonnes. 21.27 Lakh Farmers Benefited From Wheat Procurement Work Around 21.27 Lakh farmers have been benefited from wheat procurement work with about Rs 47,000 crore of Minimum Support Price being paid. Rabi marketing season runs from April to March. However, the maximum bulk procurement of wheat is done between April and June. Wheat is a major rabi (winter-sown) crop. Major contribution in procurement is from three states Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. 121.27 lakh tonnes, 70.98 lakh tonnes and 63.17 lakh tonnes have been procured from these states respectively. The Ministry attributed the increase in procurement to relaxation of quality specifications of wheat affected due to unseasonal rains, opening of procurement centers at village/panchayat level, procurement through cooperative societies/gram panchayats/arhtiyas etc. apart from designated procurement centers given for purchase. Also Read: Procurement of Rabi Rice Estimated at 106 Lakh Tonnes Regarding procurement of rice, it has been said, “During the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23, procurement of 385 lakh tonnes of Kharif rice has been done till May 30 and 110 lakh tonnes of rice is yet to be procured. Apart from this, during the Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23, an estimate of 106 lakh tonnes of rabi rice has been procured in the rabi crop. Kharif marketing season runs from October to September. The ministry said, “The combined stock of wheat and rice in the central pool is more than 579 lakh tonnes (wheat 312 lakh tonnes and rice 267 lakh tonnes). This stock has placed the country in a satisfactory position to meet its requirements of food grains. (agency)