The government has procured 6.7 mln tn wheat so far this rabi season, down 25% from the corresponding period last year. The lag in procurement is largely due to smaller purchases in Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. In Punjab, a major contributor to the central pool, procurement is down 57% from a year ago at 913,985 tn. In Haryana, another key contributor to the government’s wheat procurement drive, 2.72 mln tn of the grain has been bought so far, 29.2% lower than 3.85 mln tn procured a year ago. Wheat procurement in Madhya Pradesh is lagging 11% on year at 2.48 mln tn. Government purchases in the state have been lower due to a smaller crop this year. Madhya Pradesh government has increased its target for wheat procurement to 7.5 mln tn from 6.7 mln tn pegged earlier.