Mandis in country?s largest wheat growing state of Uttar Pradesh are running empty as the low price offered by traders and government delay in starting procurement from the state has compelled farmers to withhold their produce. So much, so that farmers are just not coming to ?mandis? since the last few days.

Sources said private traders are not willing to offer anything over Rs 925 ? 1,000 per quintal in Uttar Pradesh because of bumper harvest.

?Farmers are holding on to their stocks for the next few days so that they are not compelled to sell below the MSP,? a Ghaziabad-based wheat trader told FE.

He said if government purchases are not stepped up over the next few days there is possibility of farmers resorting to distress sale.

According to ministry of agriculture data, in Uttar Pradesh, state agencies have procured only 530 tonne of wheat till Thursday, against 4,500 tonne done during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Food Corporation of India (FCI) chairman Siraj Hussain on Wednesday said he had requested the Uttar Pradesh government to gear the procurement drive in the state.

This year, the state government has allowed the bulk buyers to purchase wheat at Minimum Support Price (MSP) directly from farmers. However, purchases have to be only for self-use.

The state government has fixed a target of 4 million tonne for wheat procurement by government agencies and FCI, out of which FCI would purchase only 1 million tonne.

Wheat production in Uttar Pradesh is estimated to be around 29 million tonne in 2010-2011.

In 2009 and 2008, wheat production in the state stood at 28.5 million tonne and 25.5 million tonne respectively.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have taken a lead in wheat procurement by contributing 1.2 million tonne and 6.92 lakh tonne to the central pool.

The total procurement by the FCI and state agencies till date had been to the tune of 1.7 million tonne.

Meanwhile, according to a PTI report, Punjab?s huge wheat production this year is unlikely to find many private buyers due to high taxes and low prices in Uttar Pradesh.