The government's wheat purchase has increased nearly three-fold to 14.58 million tonnes so far in the current rabi marketing season starting this month. Wheat procurement was 5 million tonnes in the year-ago during the corresponding period. <br/><br/>Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies undertake wheat procurement at the minimum support price. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said, the procurement as on 21st of this month was 14.58 million tonnes, which shows an increase of 9.70 million tonnes over the previous year.<br/><br/>The Minister said, the government has kept a wheat procurement target of 30.5 million tonnes for the current year, as against actual procurement of over 28 million tonnes in the last year. The Minister said, early arrival of good quality wheat crop has boosted procurement.