LUCKNOW: The Central government has extended the minimum support price (MSP) procurement period for wheat, gram, and lentils in Uttar Pradesh until July 8. They have also approved over 6.18 lakh houses in the next phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, as stated in an official announcement made on Thursday.
The details were shared by Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a review meeting held with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Yojana Bhawan in Lucknow.
Chouhan presented approval letters for extending the MSP procurement for the rabi marketing year 2026-27 and for sanctioning rural housing units under the new phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
As per the announcement, the procurement period for these crops has been extended from June 24 to July 8 to ensure farmers can sell their produce at MSP without being affected by weather conditions, weighing delays, or congestion in mandis.
Chouhan emphasized that Uttar Pradesh contributes nearly 38% of India’s wheat production, making it vital for the country’s food security and for boosting farmers’ incomes.
The Central and state governments are collaboratively devising a scientific and long-term agricultural roadmap for Uttar Pradesh, which will encompass crop patterns, irrigation strategies, water conservation, seed tech, and marketing improvements.
Addressing concerns regarding El Niño, below-normal rainfall, and decreasing groundwater levels, Chouhan noted that contingency plans will be formed for each district to promote short-duration, low-water-consuming crops. Alternative cropping options will be identified based on the local soil, water availability, and existing farming practices.
Regarding rural housing, Chouhan mentioned the approval of 618,482 houses under the new phase of PMAY-G for the period between 2024-25 and 2028-29.
This approval is part of the Centre’s larger aim to construct two crore additional pucca houses nationwide under the scheme, as per the statement.
Chouhan assured beneficiaries living in kutcha houses have been identified as surveys of rural households in Uttar Pradesh have concluded. He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment to providing full financial and technical support, emphasizing the need for timely construction, quality control, and transparency in implementation.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister and Rural Development Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, and senior officials from both the Centre and state governments, the statement added.
