Lucknow: Wheat procurement in the cooperative sector has registered a jump of around 35% in the ongoing rabi marketing season, signalling a significant strengthening of government-backed grain purchasing mechanisms and farmer participation in Uttar Pradesh.
Procurement Figures and Targets
Data show that the cooperative department has procured 6.45 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, which is almost 44% of the total target of 14.55 lakh MT. The purchase, which began on March 30, will span until June 15. This is in contrast to last year, when against a much higher target of 35 lakh metric tonnes, the sector managed to purchase only 4.77 lakh MT, which was merely 13.45% of the overall goal.
Strategic Changes Driving Growth
The higher procurement of wheat this year comes despite fewer procurement centres compared to last year. This year, the department set up 3,799 centres, down from last year's 3,859. Sources said the higher procurement was essentially driven by a well-coordinated strategy focusing on setting up procurement centres closer to the fields and deploying mobile vans for purchasing directly from farmers.
In states like Uttar Pradesh, where small and marginal farmers often sell quickly to local traders due to logistical constraints, the doorstep-style procurement has significantly altered participation levels. Cooperative commissioner Yogesh Kumar stated, “The focus shifted from merely expanding physical infrastructure to improving accessibility and operational efficiency. This eased the process for the farmers.” He added that the department scattered procurement centres in rural areas, making it easier for farmers to sell their produce.
Increase in Farmer Participation
Not surprisingly, the number of farmers benefiting from the procurement process has shot up from 105,708 to 133,576, an increase of around 26%. Officials said the jump in farmer participation suggested that the procurement process became more farmer-friendly, likely aided by faster payments, better awareness, and easier registration processes.
District-Wise Procurement Highlights
Data show that the maximum procurement of 24,949 MT of wheat was done by the cooperative department in Saharanpur with the help of 81 purchase centres. It is followed by Jhansi, where 2,248 MT of wheat was procured through 49 centres. However, in Sitapur, 20,888 MT of wheat was procured despite the setting up of 120 purchase centres.
Impact on Middlemen and Price Realisation
Efficient procurement through cooperatives, experts said, sought to reduce dependence on private middlemen, eventually improving price realisation for farmers. The overall trend indicates a robust system that prioritizes farmer welfare and efficient grain management.
