Rain hits wheat procurement, lifting

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 20

Uncertain weather conditions have further added to the miseries of wheat farmers, who are still awaiting the lifting of their procured produce due to the shortage of gunny bags. At present, there is a glut-like situation in the grain markets of the district.

Farmers said rain at regular intervals had further hampered the lifting and procurement of wheat in the grain markets.

Last week too, the yield had suffered damage due to wind and rain and now a wet spell had further hampered the procurement process.

“Wheat has been lying in the open due to the shortage of gunny bags, and now when the use of old bags has been allowed, intermittent showers have added to the moisture content,” said Balbir Singh, a farmer from Samana.

Farmers at the Patiala grain market demanded that the state government should assess the losses and provide compensation accordingly. “Not only the standing crop has suffered damage, but the produce kept or stored in the open will be spoiled due to rain. Now, it will be difficult to harvest the crop with a combine. Besides, prolonged drying may lead to the shattering of grain. Also, there is a fear of fungus and discolouration of grain,” said farmers.

“Tough measures make it all the more difficult for us to sell our produce in the market as procurement agencies are particular about the wheat stock they buy”, they added.

Meanwhile, procurement agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have asked the farmers to bring produce to grain markets with moisture content not beyond 12 per cent. The advisory has been issued to avoid crowding and ensure social distancing at the grain markets to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Harshdeep Singh from Bhadson in Patiala district said rain had flattened nearly half of his crop that was yet to be harvested. “Rain at this stage of the harvesting season is a cause of concern. Farmers are already facing a lot of difficulties in harvesting and selling their produce in the wake of the Covid outbreak,” he said.

Reviewing the procurement process at a meeting with the District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, district managers of procurement agencies, district marketing and enforcement officer, arhtiyas and farmers, Rajpura MLA Hardyal Singh Kamboj and Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit asked them to expedite wheat procurement and arrange gunny bags immediately as per the latest guidelines of the state government.

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit directed the district managers of the procurement agencies to immediately procure the wheat of the farmers who had reached the grain markets. “The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the entire procurement process,” he added.