The Hindu Business Line : Wheat procurement seen at 18 m.t. in 2005-06

THE Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Government agencies are expected to procure 18 million tonnes of wheat during the 2005-06 rabi marketing season (April-June).

The estimate was arrived at a meeting of food secretaries of the main procuring States convened by the Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Mr S.K. Tuteja, here today. While the 18 m.t. expected procurement is higher than the 16.8 m.t. procured during the 2004-05 marketing season, it is below the all-time high of 20.63 m.t. of purchases made by Government agencies in 2001-02 season.

The expected pick-up in procurement in the ensuing marketing season follows a recovery in the country's wheat production this year.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the 2004-05 crop (which will be marketed from April) is estimated at 73.03 m.t., up from 72.06 m.t. in 2003-04 and 65.10 m.t. the year before.

Of the estimated 18 m.t. , Punjab is likely to contribute 10 m.t. and Haryana 5.5 m.t. The Government agencies would pay a minimum support price of Rs 640 per quintal for the grain they purchase in 2005-06, against Rs 630 per quintal in the previous season.

Meanwhile, rice procurement during the ongoing 2004-05 kharif marketing season (Oct-Sep) has touched 16.28 m.t. as on February 7, which is higher than the 14.9 m.t. of cumulative purchases made during this period of 2003-04. Rice procurement during the entire 2003-04 season had scaled a record of 22.83 m.t.

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