The government procurement of Kharif rice has seen a notable increase during the first quarter of the 2024-25 Kharif marketing season, surpassing 313 lakh tonnes (paddy equivalent), which is a 4.3% rise from the 300.15 lakh tonnes procured in the same period in 2023. This figure represents about 64% of the total procurement target of 492.11 lakh tonnes.

While the procurement season in northern states like Punjab and Haryana ended in December, it is expected to continue in other states like Uttar Pradesh until the end of February.

In these northern states, however, there has been a decrease in procurement—6.5% less rice was bought in Punjab, and a 9% decline in Haryana.

These regions had set higher procurement targets for 2024, at 124 lakh tonnes for Punjab and 40 lakh tonnes for Haryana.

Notably, other major rice-producing states have seen an uptick in procurement. Chhattisgarh experienced a 37% increase in rice purchases, reaching 52.84 lakh tonnes, and Telangana's procurement rose by 4%.

Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra also saw increases, with Madhya Pradesh's procurement rising by a substantial 43.5%.

Despite adverse weather events like floods and cyclones in Andhra Pradesh, procurement there surged by 77%. Bihar also saw a notable increase in procurement by 63.7%.

However, there was a slight decline in Orissa, where procurement fell by 12%, though it is expected to increase as the season progresses. Overall, if the trend continues, total government procurement of rice in the Kharif season could approach 500 lakh tonnes.