Centre to resume wheat procurement in Delhi after 4-year gap

The Centre directed the Food Corporation of India to restart wheat procurement in Delhi for the 2026-27 rabi marketing season. Procurement will commence on April 24 at two locations — the FCI depot in Narela and the Najafgarh mandi — enabling farmers to sell their produce closer to home. The decision is expected to ensure MSP payments and strengthen the local agricultural ecosystem. Delhi has around 29,000 hectares under cultivation and produces nearly 80,000 metric tonnes of wheat annually, exceeding local consumption and leaving a marketable surplus. Farmers will be required to carry Aadhaar cards, land records, and bank passbooks to sell their produce at procurement centres.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta sent a letter to Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi requesting the immediate resumption of wheat procurement in Delhi during the ongoing rabi season. The letter highlights the absence of local procurement and its impact on farmers' incomes due to selling below MSP.