★ The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a major move regarding wheat procurement this year. While the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat is set at Rs 2,585 per quintal, the state is expected to procure wheat at Rs 2,700 per quintal, giving farmers an additional bonus of Rs 115 per quintal over the MSP.

★ Last year, Madhya Pradesh also procured wheat at a price higher than MSP. At that time, the MSP was Rs 2,425 per quintal, but the state procured at Rs 2,600 per quintal, giving farmers an additional benefit of Rs 175 per quintal. Similarly, in Rajasthan, wheat was procured last year at Rs 2,575 per quintal, Rs 150 above the MSP.

★ Due to the bonus announcement last year, wheat procurement in Madhya Pradesh reached 77.71 lakh tons against a target of 80 lakh tons, while Rajasthan procured 21.36 lakh tons against a target of 20 lakh tons.

★ In contrast, Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest wheat-producing state, procured only 10.27 lakh tons under MSP against a target of 30 lakh tons. This indicates that local and private procurement in UP was higher, as wheat prices there were lower compared to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

★ This year too, the bonus announcement by the Madhya Pradesh government is expected to boost procurement in the state. Similar to last year, demand for wheat from UP may rise, as prices in MP will be comparatively higher due to the bonus.

★ Navneet Chitlangia, President of the Roller Flour Millers Federation of India, welcomed the move, stating that it is a step in favor of farmers and provides them with incentives. He added that procurement prices set by the government should ideally be uniform across all states. He further noted that there is sufficient wheat available in the market and no shortage exists. Chitalangia expressed hope that after reviewing the situation, the government may also consider opening exports of wheat and wheat products in the future.