Chandigarh, February 25: Punjab is expected to produce 132 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, with procurement likely to begin on April 1.
This information came to light on Wednesday at a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM), comprising Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, and Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar.
The GoM was formed to oversee procurement preparations. It comprehensively reviewed the wheat procurement in 2026-27.
The GoM was informed about the wheat procurement arrangements at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,585 per quintal.
Regarding storage space, it was brought to the GoM's attention that the FCI is moving 5 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT of rice every month since August 2025 to ensure adequate storage space for the wheat.
A minimum of 15 LMT of wheat movement each month is needed, according to a government statement.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been regularly raising the issue of foodgrain transportation with the Union government.
To ensure safe storage of wheat for the upcoming season, the department is considering constructing plinths and using empty spaces in rice mills.
In addition, regular reviews of procurement arrangements are being conducted with the district administrations.
Regarding other items necessary to ensure a procurement season, orders have been placed for 391,320 plastic crates, of which 231,055 have been received, with the rest expected to arrive next month.
Orders have also been placed for 675,000 wooden crates, and appropriate LPED covers for safely storing wheat are also available.
Furthermore, the GoM was also informed about the demand of commission agents to raise their commission rates from Rs 45 per quintal to Rs 64 per quintal. The state government has taken this matter up with the Union government, according to the state government.