MP extends wheat procurement deadline to May 28 for slot-booked farmers
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh has pushed its wheat procurement deadline to 28 May, with 91 lakh metric tonnes already in the bag and a record 100 lakh tonne target in sight. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's move to honour every slot-booked farmer signals both administrative pressure and political intent in a state that has declared this the 'Year of Farmers' Welfare'.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh has extended its wheat procurement deadline from 23 May to 28 May for all farmers who booked slots by 23 May .
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made the announcement on 20 May , citing queue congestion at procurement centres.
The state has already procured 91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, against a record target of 100 lakh metric tonnes .
Last year's procurement stood at 77 lakh metric tonnes — the new target represents a 30% increase.
Farmers are being paid ₹2,625 per quintal at government procurement centres.
The Madhya Pradesh government on 20 May extended its wheat procurement deadline to 28 May for all farmers who had booked slots by 23 May, offering relief to thousands facing long queues at state procurement centres. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the extension, citing congestion at mandis and reaffirming his government's commitment to farmers during the state-declared 'Year of Farmers' Welfare'.
What Changed and Why
The original cut-off for wheat procurement was 23 May. Despite the slot-booking system, many farmers were reportedly unable to complete their transactions due to overcrowding and logistical bottlenecks at procurement centres across the state.
'We have decided that wheat from every farmer who successfully booked a slot will be purchased. The deadline is now being extended from May 23 to May 28,' Chief Minister Yadav stated while addressing the media.
Record Procurement on the Horizon
Madhya Pradesh is on course to set a new state record, with 91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat already procured as of the announcement. The state has set a target of 100 lakh metric tonnes for this season — significantly higher than the 77 lakh metric tonnes procured last year.
Chief Minister Yadav claimed that Madhya Pradesh has procured wheat from the highest number of farmers among all states in the country this season, underlining the scale of the state's procurement machinery.
Price, Challenges, and Assurances
Farmers delivering wheat at government procurement centres are being offered ₹2,625 per quintal. The Chief Minister acknowledged multiple headwinds this season, including adverse weather conditions, gunny bag shortages, transportation hurdles, and storage capacity constraints — all of which the state says it has worked to overcome.
Yadav appealed to farmers not to panic, assuring them that the slot-booking system is being actively managed to ensure smooth and orderly procurement. The state has also reportedly expanded its storage capacity to absorb the record volumes.
Political Context
Chief Minister Yadav framed the extension within a broader welfare agenda, stating that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his government is committed to four key sections of society — farmers, the poor, women, and the youth. The current season has been officially designated the 'Year of Farmers' Welfare' by the Madhya Pradesh government.
With procurement set to close on 28 May, the state will be watching closely whether the final tally crosses the 100 lakh metric tonne milestone.
Point of View
Designed to reduce chaos, has not fully delivered on that promise. With 91 lakh metric tonnes already procured and a 100 lakh tonne target looming, the state is clearly prioritising headline numbers — and the political optics of being the country's top wheat-procuring state. The ₹2,625 per quintal price is the government-set MSP; whether it adequately reflects actual input costs for farmers this season is a question the announcement leaves unanswered. Madhya Pradesh's consistent procurement growth is real, but the recurring need for deadline extensions suggests the underlying infrastructure — storage, transport, gunny bag supply — has not kept pace with ambition.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Madhya Pradesh extended the wheat procurement deadline?
The Madhya Pradesh government extended the deadline to 28 May because slot-booked farmers were facing difficulties due to long queues at procurement centres. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the extension on 20 May to ensure every farmer with a valid slot booking can sell their wheat.
Who is eligible for the extended wheat procurement deadline in MP?
All farmers who had successfully booked a procurement slot by 23 May are eligible to sell their wheat under the extended deadline of 28 May. The extension applies specifically to slot-booked farmers, not new registrations.
What is the wheat procurement price in Madhya Pradesh this season?
The Madhya Pradesh government is purchasing wheat at ₹2,625 per quintal at state procurement centres. This is the government-set price applicable to all eligible farmers during the current procurement season.
How much wheat has Madhya Pradesh procured so far this season?
As of 20 May, Madhya Pradesh had procured 91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat. The state has set a record target of 100 lakh metric tonnes for the season, up from 77 lakh metric tonnes procured last year.
What challenges has the state faced during wheat procurement this year?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav acknowledged several challenges including adverse weather conditions, gunny bag shortages, transportation hurdles, and storage capacity constraints. The state says it has expanded storage capacity and is actively managing the slot-booking system to address these issues.
