Chana Procurement In MP Set To Start From 1st April

Hailstorm and unfavorable weather in Chana-producing states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra have damaged the crop, resulting in more demand for the commodity from stockiest and mills. According to trade estimates, about 20-25% chana crop was damaged in India due to unfavorable weather.

"Madhya Pradesh received another spell of rainfall in some places which has resulted in additional moisture in the commodity. The procurement centers may reject the commodity with more than 14% moisture and hence, we have given more time to farmers," said a senior official in MP Markfed (MP State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited).

"Now the procurement would begin from April 1," the official said. MSP for Chana for marketing year 2014-15 is Rs. 3100 per quintal. According to 2nd advance estimates made by the Central government, chana production in India is estimated to be about 9.79 million tons for 2013-14 as against 8.83 million tons in 2012-13.