Govt buys 216 lakh tonnes wheat from farmers at MSP so far; more than half of target

The government has procured 216 lakh tonnes of wheat till Wednesday, as against the target to buy 400 lakh tonnes from farmers in the ongoing harvesting season of rabi (winter-sown) crops, an official statement said.

"The procurement of wheat and rice (second crop) during the ongoing Rabi season has picked up pace despite severe logistical constraints posed due to countrywide lockdown," the food ministry said in a statement.

Against the target of 400 lakh tonnes of wheat, procurement for the central pool (buffer stock) has touched 216 lakh tonnes till May 6.

The procurement in major wheat producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh had started only after April 15.

Punjab is leading in wheat procurement with 104.28 lakh tonnes purchased so far,followed by Haryana (50.56 lakh tonnes) and Madhya Pradesh (48.64 lakh tonnes).

Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the government's nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains. The foodgrains are procured from farmers