Govt To Procure Over 427 Lakh Metric Tonne Wheat During Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22

The Union Food Ministry on Tuesday (3 March) said that a total quantity of 427.363 lakh metric tonne (LMt) wheat has been estimated for procurement during the forthcoming Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2021-22 which is 9.56 per cent more than the 389.93 LMT procured during RMS 2020-21 which will be a fresh record.

Madhya Pradesh, where arrival of fresh crop has already begun and procurement is to start in the second fortnight of this month, is estimated to procure 135 lakh tonne.

As per the statement of the Food Ministry, 130 lakh tonne of wheat is estimated to be procured in Punjab while 80 lakh tonne in Haryana.

"Uttar Pradesh is estimated to buy 55 lakh ton wheat directly from the farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Centre at Rs 1,975 per 100 kg for the upcoming season 2021-22," the statement said.

Government agencies will procure 22 lakh tonne of wheat in Rajasthan, 2.20 lakh tonne in Uttrakhand, 1.50 lakh tonne in Gujarat, one lakh tonne in Bihar, 6,000 tonne in Himachal Pradesh and 50,000 in Delhi.

Similarly, a total quantity of 119.72 lakh tonne of rice (rabi crop) has been estimated for procurement during the forthcoming rabi crop of 2020-21 which is 24.43 per cent more than the 96.21 LMT procurement of rice during 2019-20.

The announcement came after Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) chaired a meeting of State food secretaries on Tuesday (2 March) to discuss the arrangements for procurement of Wheat during the ensuing Rabi Marketing season 2021-22 and that of Rice (Rabi Crop) of KMS 2020-21.

Meanwhile, a total quantity of 119.72 LMT rice (rabi crop) has been estimated for procurement during the forthcoming rabi crop of current KMS 2020-21 which is 24.43 per cent more than the 96.21 LMT procurement of rice (rabi crop) during KMS 2019-20.

(With inputs from IANS)