Rohan Umak
MP wheat procurement: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced a significant increase in the state’s wheat procurement target, raising it from 7.8 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes, in a move aimed at strengthening farmer welfare and ensuring smoother procurement operations.
MP wheat procurement: Push to improve procurement capacity
Chairing a high-level review meeting via video conferencing from the Samatva Bhavan at the Chief Minister’s residence, CM Dr Yadav emphasised that farmers must not face any inconvenience while selling their produce. He instructed district collectors to ensure robust arrangements at procurement centres, including weighing machines, labour support, shade, and drinking water.
To handle the anticipated surge in arrivals, the capacity of procurement centres has been expanded from 1,000 quintals per day to 2,250 quintals. Slot booking for farmers—extended till 9 May—is now open to small, marginal, as well as medium and large farmers, a step expected to accelerate inflow at centres.
Daily monitoring and payment assurance
The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct daily reviews of wheat procurement, transportation, storage, and timely payment to farmers. He also stressed that gram and lentil procurement must take place under covered mandi sheds to prevent damage from unseasonal rainfall.
District-level publicity campaigns have been ordered to ensure farmers are well-informed about procurement arrangements for pulses. CM Dr Yadav reiterated that adequate stocks of gunny bags have been arranged, with each centre required to maintain a minimum seven-day supply.
Expanded access, relaxed norms
Farmers have been given the flexibility to sell their produce at any procurement centre within their district, rather than being restricted to their tehsil. The state currently operates 3,516 procurement centres, with over 855,000 farmers having registered for slot bookings.
So far, procurement has reached 1.66 million metric tonnes from nearly 396,000 farmers, with payments exceeding ₹2,527 crore already disbursed. Additionally, over 40,000 medium and large farmers have booked slots for 588,000 metric tonnes.
In a further boost, the Centre has relaxed quality norms, allowing up to 50 per cent tolerance for lustreless wheat. Limits for underdeveloped grains have been increased from 6 per cent to 10 per cent, while damaged grain tolerance has also been raised.
Acknowledgement extended to Centre
CM Dr Yadav expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the enhanced procurement target, calling it a “farmer-centric decision” that will benefit producers across the state.
Senior ministers and top officials, including Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana and Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, were present at the review meeting.
