Amid ongoing Lok Sabha election fervor, the Centre plans a significant increase in wheat purchase from non-traditional states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar, aiming for a seven-fold jump to 50 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 marketing year.
Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra mentioned that despite the ban on wheat exports, the focus is on domestic procurement. He emphasized the underutilized potential of UP, Bihar, and Rajasthan, aiming to procure at least 50 lakh tonnes from these states alone out of the targeted 310 lakh tonnes nationwide.
Cooperatives like Nafed and NCCF, along with traditional agencies, have been roped in to achieve the procurement target.
The government has undertaken various measures since October to bolster wheat procurement, aiming to restore allocations under welfare schemes.
Moreover, steps like advanced farmer registration, simplified verification processes, and setting up dedicated helplines have been initiated to streamline procurement operations.
The government assures prompt MSP transfer to farmers' bank accounts within 48 hours and has deployed institutional preparedness to expedite payments.
A central control room has been established for real-time monitoring, indicating a robust approach towards procurement efficiency.
So far, six lakh tonnes of wheat have been procured, with procurement from Punjab and Haryana set to begin soon.
Regarding wheat and rice prices, stability has been observed, with retail inflation remaining steady. However, the ban on wheat exports is unlikely to be lifted soon, considering the record wheat production estimated for the previous year.
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