Wheat procurement in Uttar Pradesh has registered a sharp dip of around 23% in the ongoing rabi marketing season, attributed to unseasonal rains and hailstorms that hit the state in March. These weather events led to lower crop arrivals in mandis, impacting the procurement process.
Procurement Figures and Decline
According to data from the Food and Civil Supplies department updated till April 26, wheat procurement in the state stood at 4.96 lakh metric tonnes, significantly less than the 6.43 lakh metric tonnes procured during the corresponding period last year. The government was procuring wheat through 5,649 centers set up by eight agencies, including Mandi Parishad, Food Corporation of India (FCI), UP Cooperative Federation, National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF), Marketing Division of Food and Civil Supply (FCS), Pradeshik Cooperative Federation (PCF), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), UP Cooperative Union (UPCU), and UP Sahkari Sangh (UPSS).
Decline in Farmer Participation
Data show that the number of farmers arriving at procurement centers plunged from 116,735 in 2025-26 to 93,063 this year, a decrease of a little over 20%. NCCF registered the sharpest decline of 88% in farmer arrivals. Similarly, Mandi Parishad and PCF witnessed falls of 62% and 34%, respectively.
Government Measures to Boost Procurement
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath relaxed quality norms for the rabi marketing season to boost procurement. The permissible limit for wheat with lustre loss (reduced shine) has been increased to 70%. The limit for shriveled and broken grains, earlier 6%, has been raised to 20%. Officials stated that this will ensure farmers' wheat is procured despite quality deterioration caused by rainfall.
Storage and Accounting of Relaxed-Quality Wheat
Wheat procured under relaxed norms will be stored separately from standard wheat, with a distinct accounting system. The stock will be utilized only within Uttar Pradesh to ensure proper quality management. Last week, the state government clarified that it will take responsibility for any further decline in quality during storage of such wheat.
National Context and Political Implications
Nationally, wheat procurement has declined by around 40%, primarily due to delayed procurement start in Madhya Pradesh and lower arrivals in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Punjab and Haryana, however, have shown improved buying trends. Lower procurement can potentially tighten buffer stocks locally, and the government may face higher costs due to storage inefficiencies. Experts note that wheat procurement is politically sensitive in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are due early next year. Any perception of farmer distress can influence rural sentiments and affect electoral outcomes.
