The Hindu : New Delhi News : Wheat procurement target set at 162 lakh tonnes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 08, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Wheat procurement target set at 162 lakh tonnes

Gargi Parsai

Higher target is in view of dismal buffer stocks position

NEW DELHI: In the wake of a decision to import five lakh tonnes of wheat, a meeting of Food Secretaries of major wheat producing States on Monday set the target for rabi wheat procurement at 162 lakh tonnes in the current marketing season, which is 14.15 lakh tonnes higher than that of last year. In 2005-06, 147.85 lakh tonnes of wheat was procured for the central pool.

Central pool

The meeting also discussed the preliminary wheat production target of 75.5 million tonnes against the output of 72 million tonnes last year. The minimum support price for wheat for the 2006-07 rabi marketing season is set at Rs 650 a quintal. The meeting was convened by Food Secretary R.N. Das.

Emphasising the need for decentralised procurement by States such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Gujarat, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, Mr. Das pointed out that as against an estimated quantity of 32 lakh tonnes last year, these States contributed only about 12 lakh tonnes to the central pool. Last year Punjab and Haryana also fell short of expectations by about 12 lakh tonnes, resulting in lowering of buffer stocks. Wheat stocks were 62 lakh tonnes on January 1, against the norm of 82 lakh tonnes.

This year, however, Punjab is expected to contribute the maximum to the central pool with 85 lakh tonnes of wheat, followed by Haryana with 42 lakh tonnes and Uttar Pradesh with 25 lakh tonnes. The States, which also contribute to wheat procurement for the central pool, are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttaranchal.

Arrangements

The meeting discussed the arrangements made by the Food Corporation of India and State Government agencies for smooth procurement operation, which is to commence in most of the States on April 1. It also talked about preparations for procurement of coarse grains, setting up of control rooms, purchase centres, storage facilities and purchase of gunny bags in States. Another meeting in the Ministry of Agriculture on the coverage of crops this rabi noted that the coverage of wheat so far is reported to be 265.47 lakh hectares against 263.83 lakh hectares last year during the corresponding time. The cultivation of wheat is however lower in Madhya Pradesh due to lack of rain.

Coarse cereals

The coverage of coarse cereals is also higher at 68.52 lakh hectares against 66.98 lakh hectares last year. The sowing of jowar, however, is slightly lower at 50.84 lakh hectares compared to 51.43 lakh hectares last year. The total coverage under oilseeds this year is higher at 106.96 lakh hectares. Last year it was 101.65 lakh hectares. The area under pulses at 133.09 lakh hectares has exceeded the last year's level of 127.2 lakh hectares.

The meeting chaired by Additional Secretary R.S. Pandey took up the issue of delay in fertilizer supply to farmers and urged the representative of the Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers to ensure stepping up of supply.

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