Business
Government Boosts Wheat Purchase Plan to Support Rain-Hit Farmers
The Central Government has increased its wheat procurement target under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme by 15 per cent to 34.5 million tonnes for the current season, up from the earlier target of 30 million tonnes.
Sanjeev Chopra said the revised target is aimed at supporting farmers whose crops were affected by unseasonal rains.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi during the release of the annual wheat survey by the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India, Chopra said state-wise procurement targets have also been revised upward.
According to the updated estimates, procurement from Madhya Pradesh is expected at 10 million tonnes, Uttar Pradesh at 2.5 million tonnes, Rajasthan at 2.35 million tonnes, and Uttarakhand at 5,000 tonnes. Some procurement is also likely from Delhi this year.
The Food Secretary said wheat procurement quality norms have been relaxed in key producing states including Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to enable greater purchases from farmers affected by rain-related crop damage.
He added that the enhanced MSP procurement will add to opening wheat stocks of around 22 million tonnes for 2026-27, taking total availability to nearly 56.5 million tonnes.
Chopra also noted that wheat production in the 2025-26 crop year may be slightly lower, estimated between 110 and 120 million tonnes, due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms in major wheat-growing states.