There will be relief in wheat prices after the elections! The government has increased procurement since last year

Last year, the rising prices of wheat and rice had put the common man in trouble. After this, the government started selling wheat from the buffer stock to control the prices. Wheat was sold to wholesalers through auction which helped in maintaining the prices of wheat at the same level during election years. This time the government has increased the target of wheat procurement to maintain the price of wheat at the same level. But after the initial decline in wheat procurement, it has now increased.

Last year total procurement was 262.02 lakh tonnes

Wheat procurement in the year 2024-25 has increased as compared to last year. Wheat procurement during this period was 262.48 lakh tonnes whereas last year the total procurement was 262.02 lakh tonnes. Wheat procurement has been boosted especially by good procurement in Punjab and Haryana. A statement issued by the government said that 262.48 lakh tonnes of Rabi season grain has been procured for central storage. Out of this, 22.31 lakh farmers have benefited by Rs. 59,715 crore from the minimum support price.

Most wheat was purchased in Punjab

The statement said that 124.26 lakh tonnes were procured in Punjab, 71.49 lakh tonnes in Haryana, 47.78 lakh tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 9.66 lakh tonnes in Rajasthan and 9.07 lakh tonnes in Uttar Pradesh. Wheat procurement usually runs from April to March. But this year the Center has allowed the states to buy the crop based on arrivals. In most states, procurement started in early March. The government has set a target of wheat procurement of 30 to 32 crore tonnes for the crop year 2024-25.

Rice procurement is also going on smoothly

Rice procurement is also going on smoothly. About 728.42 lakh tonnes of paddy equivalent to 489.15 lakh tonnes of rice has been procured at MSP of Rs 1,60,472 crore from 98.26 lakh farmers. The combined stock of wheat and rice in central storage is currently over 600 lakh tonnes, the government said. This puts the country in a comfortable position to meet its food needs under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and other welfare schemes as well as market interventions.