The government has purchased 30.87 million tonne (MT) wheat directly from farmers within the first 40 days of the current marketing year, surpassing the last year’s total procurement. It was 30.82 MT in the year-ago period. The procurement target for the 2018-19 marketing year (April-March) is 32 MT. Wheat is procured at the minimum support price and the grain is used for distribution through PDS and other welfare schemes. The procurement is almost completed in Punjab and Haryana, while it is continuing in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. About 32.86 MT of fresh wheat was brought to mandis for sale, of which the government has procured 30.87 MT at the support price.