The government�s wheat procurement, which started at the minimum support price (MSP) on April 1, has gained momentum. By April 16, this figure reached 83.58 lakh tons. In comparison to the same period last year, when wheat procurement stood at 43.46 lakh tons, this season has seen a remarkable 92% increase in procurement. Wheat Procurement Situation in Madhya Pradesh According to the latest data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), wheat procurement in Madhya Pradesh has seen significant growth, reaching 40.08 lakh tons so far. Wheat procurement in the state began on March 15 this season. Last year, the procurement during the same period was only 21.67 lakh tons. A key reason for this growth is the Madhya Pradesh government�s announcement of an additional bonus of ₹175 per quintal on top of the MSP of ₹2,425 per quintal, which has encouraged farmers to sell their produce. Wheat Procurement in Rajasthan Last month, the central government provided some relaxations on quality standards for wheat procurement in Rajasthan. As a result, wheat procurement in the state has increased to 4.8 lakh tons, compared to only 96,209 tons during the same period last year. Wheat Procurement in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat In Uttar Pradesh, wheat procurement has seen a notable increase, with the government buying 3.42 lakh tons of wheat this year compared to 2.2 lakh tons last year. Meanwhile, wheat procurement has also started in Gujarat, with 1,920 tons of wheat bought so far, while there was no procurement in the state by the same period last year. Demand for Bonus in Uttar Pradesh A former senior official of the Ministry of Food recently suggested that the central government should play a more active role in Uttar Pradesh�s wheat procurement. He recommended that the state government announce a bonus for wheat procurement, as states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are already offering such bonuses to farmers. Wheat Procurement in Punjab and Haryana Gaining Pace Typically, wheat procurement in Punjab picks up pace after Baisakhi. Last year, Punjab's wheat procurement stood at 74,144 tons during this period, whereas this season, the figure has surged to 5.29 lakh tons. Similarly, Haryana has also shown a significant increase in wheat procurement, with 29.89 lakh tons procured so far, marking a 67% increase compared to last year�s 17.86 lakh tons. Wheat Procurement in Bihar In Bihar, wheat harvesting is progressing rapidly, but the pace of government procurement remains slow. So far, only 7,000 tons of wheat have been procured in the state, compared to 2,068 tons during the same period last year. Expected Wheat Procurement Figures by Early May According to a senior official, the total wheat procurement figure is expected to exceed 266 lakh tons by the first week of May. Given the current trends, total procurement this year is expected to be around 280 to 290 lakh tons. However, the official also mentioned that the expected increase in wheat production in most states could push procurement beyond the target, which remains a possibility. Wheat Procurement Targets by State Based on information received from state governments, the central government has set a wheat procurement target of 312.7 lakh tons. This includes 124 lakh tons from Punjab, 75 lakh tons from Haryana, 60 lakh tons from Madhya Pradesh, 30 lakh tons from Uttar Pradesh, 20 lakh tons from Rajasthan, 2 lakh tons from Bihar, and 1 lakh ton from Gujarat. Procurement Targets Missed in the Past Three Years The central government achieved a record wheat procurement of 433.4 lakh tons in 2021-22. However, in the last three years, the procurement has consistently fallen short of its targets. In 2022-23, the government procured 187.9 lakh tons against a target of 444 lakh tons. Similarly, in 2023-24, 261.97 lakh tons were procured, while the target was 341.5 lakh tons. In 2024-25, 266.05 lakh tons were procured, while the target was 373 lakh tons. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has expressed confidence that this year�s wheat production target of 115 million tons will be surpassed. What�s Next for Wheat Prices? Wheat prices in the Delhi market opened at ₹2,635, and recent reports indicate that wheat prices have risen by ₹15 to ₹2,650 due to weak selling and strong buying from stockists. This price increase is a result of sustained demand for wheat. Delayed harvesting in Haryana and Punjab, along with rain damage, has led to slower arrivals and weaker government procurement. However, once the supply increases, prices may face pressure and could drop to ₹2,575�₹2,600 in the Delhi market. Still, demand remains strong, which is contributing to the ongoing price increase. With a good harvest overall, the government is confident it will achieve its wheat procurement target of 312.7 lakh tons. If the target is met, the government may take steps to control wheat prices and prevent them from rising excessively. Traders should proceed with caution and make decisions based on market trends.