New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- Despite a decline in paddy acreage amid rainfall deficits, the government has set a target to purchase 71.95 million tonnes of the foodgrain during the kharif marketing season (KMS) 2026-27, unchanged from the previous year, as it prepares for the annual procurement season beginning in October, according to two people aware of the development.

This year's procurement target is close to last year's goal of 72 million tonnes, when the country had received above-normal monsoon rainfall. To be sure, the government eventually procured 81 million tonnes of paddy last year.

Paddy acreage as of 18 September stood at 42.9 million hectares, down from 44.6 million hectares a year earlier, while the government's procurement t...