Procurement of Wheat for RMS 2023-24 has commenced in the country and a quantity of 10,727 metric tonnes of wheat has been procured up to 27.03.2023 as compared to nil procurement last year. The wheat has been procured in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the areas of Ujjain, Dewas, Indore, Shajapur, Sehore etc. It is also worthwhile to note that the total procurement last year during the month of March itself was around 10,000 metric tonnes only whereas this year this figure has already crossed on 27.03.2023. As against about 18 lakh farmers actually participating in public procurement operation last year for selling their produce to government agencies, more than 31 lakh farmers have already registered themselves this year for participation in public procurement operations of wheat. These are good signs for healthy procurement of wheat this year.
A quantity of 341.50 LMT wheat has been estimated for procurement during RMS 2023-24 as against 187.92 LMT wheat actually procured during last RMS 2022-23. Based on the information furnished by the State Governments, state-wise procurement estimates has been finalized in the State Food Secretaries meeting held on 01.03.2023.
As per the Second Advance Estimates published by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the estimated production of wheat is around 1121 lakh metric tonnes this season. As per the latest reports from field offices of FCI, the recent rains have not impacted adversely on the production of wheat.
******
AD/NS