New Delhi: The government's wheat procurement rose 17 per cent to over 35 million tonne in the 2026-27 rabi marketing season, surpassing both the target of 34.5 MT and the previous year's procurement of 30 MT, a senior food ministry official said on Wednesday."Wheat procurement has crossed 35 million tonne so far this season. We have exceeded the target. Procurement in major producing states has been completed," the official told PTI.The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies procure wheat at the minimum support price (MSP) to meet requirements under the National Food Security Act and other welfare schemes.Also Read: Chana prices climb over 9% in a monthHigher procurement was facilitated by mandi rates ruling below the MSP, owing to robust domestic production of 120.65 MT, sustained despite localised crop damage from unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms.State-wise, Punjab led procurement at 12.1 MT, up from 11.9 MT in the previous season. Madhya Pradesh recorded a sharp jump to 10.4 MT from 7.8 MT, while Haryana rose to 8.1 MT from 7 MT.Also Read: States asked to focus on sowing pulses, oilseedsUttar Pradesh nearly doubled its procurement to 1.7 MT from 1 MT, and Rajasthan improved to 2.4 MT from 1.9 MT.Wheat procurement season runs from April through March. However, much of the procurement happens in the first few months itself.