Wheat procurement in India is likely to surpass target set for the public distribution system despite crop damage caused by strong wind and rains in the cereal growing belt in North-western region this week. A higher yield of wheat this Rabi season is expected to boost the grain procurement in key wheat growing states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana–mainstay of federal cereal purchase system. Rain this week has hit the key Rabi season crop of wheat attaining maturity in Northern states. Experts have allayed scope of major loss of crop so far but the overcast conditions are keeping farmers wary in the states. The federal agencies are expected to procure 70-80 per cent of the 320 lakh tonne of wheat for PDS in 2018-19 marketing season at a fixed price from farmers.