Punjab’s central pool wheat share is 37%

CHANDIGARH: Punjab has contributed over one-third (37%) of wheat to the central pool this rabi season, data compiled by Food Corporation of India (FCI) till May 24, shows.

Of 342 lakh tonne grain procured from across the country, around 126 lakh tonne has come from Punjab.

The procurement nears end by May 31, but most of the grain has already landed in government purchase centres and has also been sent for storage in godowns.

Apart from Punjab, Madhya Pradesh has contributed contributed 113 lakh tonne (33%), Haryana 71 lakh tonne (21%), Uttar Pradesh 20 lakh tonne (6%) and Rajasthan 11 lakh tonne (3%) to the central pool.

FCI says the total procurement of 342 lakh tonne has surpassed last year’s figure.

FCI regional head in Punjab Arshdeep Thind said the corporation has procured the target given to it. “We procured at least 14.5% of total procurement in Punjab, which is as per the quota allotted to us,” he added. Other than FCI, state agencies like Markfed, Punsup, Pungrain and state warehousing corporation also procured the crop.

“The process was very challenging . We were able to carry forward operations adhering to the laid protocol for covdi-19. There were labour problems, logistics were to be set in places and gunny bags were delayed due to lockdown. Weather was erratic and we started procurement and harvest amidst scattered rainfall,” he added.