Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Government-led wheat procurement efforts in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand have hit significant roadblocks, with purchasing centers failing to meet set targets amidst a challenging harvest season.
The state government had set an ambitious target of procuring 39,000 metric tons of wheat in Kumaon, with a minimum support price (MSP) fixed at Rs 2275 per quintal. However, as wheat harvesting draws to a close, reports reveal a dismal performance, with only 166.45 metric tons purchased over 36 days, representing less than one percent of the target. Shockingly, procurement in the Champawat district stands at zero.
In Udham Singh Nagar, where 47 purchasing centers were established, including nine under the Food Department, 35 under the Uttarakhand State Co-operative Federation Ltd (UCF), and three under the NextNational Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited (NCCF), progress has been sluggish. The Food and Cooperative Department’s purchasing centers have managed to open purchase accounts, but other agencies lag.
According to the Regional Food Controller (RFC) BL Firmal, while some wheat purchases were made in Udham Singh Nagar by the Food Department, no procurement occurred in Nainital and Champawat. Only 166.45 metric tons of wheat have been procured from a mere 38 farmers. The prevailing belief attributes the lack of procurement to the comparatively low MSP set by the government.
The situation is exacerbated by the influx of 145,327.87 metric tons of wheat into the market. Senior Marketing Office at Haldwani reports that Nainital received 9208.75 metric tons, Udham Singh Nagar received 132,869.922 metric tons, and Champawat received 3249.2 metric tons. This surge in market arrivals has driven prices higher.
In Kashipur, the largest city in Udham Singh Nagar district, government procurement has dwindled compared to previous years. Despite ongoing procurement efforts, figures remain stagnant, prompting farmers to opt for private sales due to the perceived inadequacy of the government’s support price.
Farmers voice their frustrations, with Jawahar Singh expressing, “The government’s support price for wheat is insufficient, and payments are delayed, leading us to sell our crops at market rates.” Vikramjeet Singh, another farmer, Tejinder Singh echoed the same sentiment, saying, “The government’s price doesn’t even cover our costs, whereas private buyers offer better rates and timely payments.”
The Department’s data further underscores the dismal procurement trends. In 2021-22, 102,137 quintals of wheat were purchased when the MSP was Rs 2015. The following year, despite a rise in MSP to Rs 2125, procurement plummeted to a mere 717.50 quintals. In 2023-24, procurement dwindled to a shocking 15 quintals, despite a further increase in MSP to Rs 2275. The current procurement figures for 2024-25 stand at a mere 18.50 quintals, highlighting the persistent challenges.
President of the Terai Kisan Sabha, Tejender Singh Virk said, “The government’s efforts to procure wheat in the Kumaon region face formidable obstacles, with low MSPs, delayed payments, and competition from private buyers driving farmers away from official procurement centers. As the procurement deadline of June 30 approaches, urgent measures are needed to address these challenges and ensure food security in the region”.
