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IndiAgri Bureau
Lucknow: The Centre has extended the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement period for wheat, gram and masoor in Uttar Pradesh till July 8, 2026, while also approving 6,18,482 rural houses for the state under the next phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
The announcements were made during a high-level review meeting between Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Yojana Bhavan in Lucknow on Thursday. The meeting focused on agriculture, rural housing, climate preparedness and long-term development planning.
The extension covers wheat, gram and masoor procured under the Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27. The procurement window, which was scheduled to end on June 24, will now remain open until July 8.
According to the Centre, the decision was taken following a request from the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that farmers facing delayed arrivals, adverse weather, mandi congestion or weighing-related issues do not miss the opportunity to sell their produce at MSP. The extension is expected to benefit a large number of farmers across the state and reduce the risk of distress sales.
The meeting also discussed the need for a long-term scientific strategy for agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, India's largest wheat-producing state. Officials reviewed a draft roadmap that proposes improvements in crop planning, irrigation, groundwater conservation, seed systems, technology adoption and agricultural marketing.
The roadmap will be jointly finalized by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government and is expected to guide future agricultural planning in the state.
With concerns over below-normal rainfall and the possible impact of El Niño this year, both governments agreed to prepare district-specific contingency plans for agriculture.
The proposed strategy includes promoting short-duration and low-water-consuming crops where rainfall remains deficient. Alternative crop recommendations will be prepared based on local soil conditions, water availability and existing cropping patterns.
Farmers will also receive timely advisories, quality seeds and technical support through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the state agriculture department and district administrations.
The Centre also approved 6,18,482 pucca houses for Uttar Pradesh under the new phase of PMAY-G covering the period 2024-25 to 2028-29.
The approval forms part of the Centre's nationwide target of constructing an additional two crore rural houses during the new phase of the scheme.
Officials said the beneficiary survey in Uttar Pradesh has already been completed, with eligible families living in kutcha houses identified. The next stage will focus on sanctioning houses and ensuring timely construction with technology-based monitoring and quality checks.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh, Minister of State for Revenue Surendra Diler, along with senior officials from the Union and Uttar Pradesh governments.
Discussions covered the implementation of agriculture and rural development schemes, climate resilience, housing delivery and coordination between the Centre and the state to improve outcomes for farmers and rural households.
The meeting concluded with both governments reiterating their focus on strengthening agricultural productivity, protecting farmer incomes and accelerating rural development through coordinated policy implementation.
