Haryana and Punjab have procured nearly 40 lakh tonnes of wheat this season, food and supplies department officials said here on Thursday.
In Haryana, the arrival and procurement of wheat is much higher compared to neighbouring Punjab so far.
Nearly 31 lakh tonnes of wheat has arrived in grain markets in Haryana of which nearly 99.8 percent has been procured by government agencies.
"Payment of Rs.1563.99 crore had been released to farmers up to April 21 at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs.1,450 per quintal," an official spokesman of the department said.
Karnal, Kaithal and Jind districts are leading in wheat procurement in Haryana.
In Punjab, nearly 8.5 lakh tonnes of wheat has been procured so far, officials said. Government agencies have procured 93.4 percent of the wheat arrivals.
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The wheat arrivals in Punjab, delayed due to erratic weather in March and early April, are likely to pick up in the coming week.
The state government has set a target of procuring 125 lakh tonnes of wheat in Punjab this season.
The Punjab government has announced that farmers will not be burdened with loss due to broken grain caused by adverse weather.
The government has decided to procure wheat at MSP of Rs.1,450 per quintal.
Ferozepur, Bathinda and Fazilka districts were leading in procurement in Punjab.