Ops begin, Punjab set to procure 124-LMT wheat

1,864 mandis, procurement centres opened; crop to be purchased at MSP of 2,524 per quintal

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: Agricultural experts have predicted a bumper wheat crop in Punjab, with the total production expected to touch 190 lakh tonnes. The procurement will begin on April 1, and arrangements in 1,864 mandis and procurement centres have been completed.

According to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) vice-chancellor SS Gosal, the entire season for the crop was ideal as winters were mild and there was no natural calamity such as rain or hailstorm, and at the maturing stage, the temperatures were ideal, below 35 degrees Celsius.

"The reports coming from different parts of the state suggest that the crop has grown in perfect conditions," he added.

According to the sources in the state agriculture department, the production is expected to cross beyond 60 quintals per hectare. The crop was cultivated over 34 lakh hectares (85 lakh acres). The agriculture department is in the process of conducting crop-cutting experiments to ascertain actual yield output, the results of which are expected to be encouraging.

The state food and civil supplies department has arranged a cash credit limit (CCL) of 28,894 crore for the purchase of support price of ₹2,524 per quintal.