Even as cases of Covid-19 are going up, the procurement of wheat is going on with full swing. Wheat procurement in Punjab started on April 10. So far, 29.24 lakh tons of wheat have been purchased with disbursement of Rs 5775.20 crore, benefitting 3.3 lakh farmers.
As per the Food Corporation of India, the central agency that procures and distributes food grains, Haryana, with procurement of 14.67 lakh ton, leads the count, followed by Madhya Pradesh [11.92 lakh ton] and Uttar Pradesh [97562 ton].
A senior food ministry official said that procurement in Punjab has just started. Till now, 68693 tons of wheat have been procured. The exercise is moving rapidly. This is the first time farmers will get the payment of their crop directly in their account. Arthiyas, who had threatened to call a strike against the Government’s decision for direct payment transfer, has suspended their agitation.
According to the food ministry, the Government has procured exceptionally better this season than last year when the Government could procure just 60-ton wheat during this time.
The previous year, the Covid-19 pandemic had taken its toll on procurement during the initial period of lockdown before the Government decided to exempt farm activities. This year farmers and the Government are prepared to tackle the situation. Proper arrangements have been made in mandis for smooth functioning.
This year, Centre has put down a target of procuring 42.73 million tons of wheat with Madhya Pradesh to contribute the maximum 13.5 million tons, followed by Punjab [13 million tons] and Haryana [8 million tons]. Uttar Pradesh has not fixed any target this year and has announced to continue procurement till stock lasts.
Wheat output is estimated to rise to 109.24 MT in 2020-21 from 107.86 MT in the last year. We are expecting a record purchase, the official said.
