Despite bumper harvest, UP likely to miss wheat procurement target

Uttar Pradesh Falls Short of Wheat Procurement Goals Amid Bumper Crop

Despite bumper harvest UP likely to miss - Uttar Pradesh, known for its substantial wheat production, faces the possibility of falling short of its procurement targets despite a record-breaking harvest. The state’s wheat procurement is projected to remain below 20 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), missing the revised goal of 25 LMT. This marks one of the lowest purchase levels in recent years, even as efforts to streamline collection were intensified.

The 2026 Rabi marketing season is set to conclude on June 15, yet procurement activity has significantly slowed. To date, the state has gathered 19.86 LMT of wheat, covering less than 80% of the target. While this figure represents a notable increase compared to the past three years and nearly doubles the previous year’s total, it still falls short of expectations for the nation’s top wheat-producing region.

Revised Targets and Support Measures

Initially, the central government set Uttar Pradesh’s procurement goal for 2026-27 at just 10 LMT, a historic low. However, the state administration lobbied for a revision, arguing that a bountiful crop and improved procurement strategies warranted a higher target of 25 LMT. To facilitate this, over 5,840 purchase centers were established, and more than 6.82 lakh farmers registered to sell wheat under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.

The Centre also relaxed quality standards after unseasonal rains impacted wheat quality in certain areas. This allowed farmers to sell affected produce at the full MSP of ₹2,585 per quintal, providing relief to those facing market price fluctuations.

Challenges in Procurement

Despite these efforts, procurement remains subdued. The state’s historical performance, with over 60 LMT of wheat collected in earlier years, especially during the initial phase of the BJP government’s tenure in 2017, contrasts sharply with the current pace. This year’s total is estimated to meet only a third of the state’s annual requirement under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

"Many farmers also prefer to hold back stocks in anticipation of higher market prices later in the season," said Principal Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies) Ranvir Prasad. "Our objective is to ensure that farmers are not forced to sell below MSP. If they are getting better prices in the open market, it ultimately benefits them."

Prasad emphasized that this year’s procurement was the highest in three years, citing proactive measures to incentivize farmers. "By the end of the procurement season on June 15, we expect the wheat procurement to be around 20 LMT," he added.

A senior official from the Food and Civil Supplies Department noted that farmers’ growing inclination toward private traders over government centers has emerged as a persistent challenge. This trend, observed even during periods of strong production, has hindered the effectiveness of the state’s procurement system.

Brajendra K Parashar, a Special Correspondent covering agriculture, energy, transport, and other sectors, provides insights into the evolving dynamics of wheat procurement in Uttar Pradesh.