Procurement of paddy in Ludhiana to end by next week
Procurement of paddy in the district will end in another week. So far, around 15.11 lakh metric tonnes (MT) paddy has been procured against the expected target of 17 lakh MT.
Procurement of paddy in the district will end in another week. So far, around 15.11 lakh metric tonnes (MT) paddy has been procured against the expected target of 17 lakh MT.
This was shared by district mandi officer (DMO) Narinder Singh Tiwana over the phone, who said the target would be achieved in next few days.
“Though this year paddy arrived late in markets due to delay in harvest, we will successfully achieve our target. In 101 mandis of the district, there was a huge rush of farmers and the rush is expected for another six to seven days,” he added.
Meanwhile, harvesting is almost done but farmers who had grown basmati varieties are currently harvesting.
“Most of the fields have already been cleared by the farmers for sowing wheat but those who had grown basmati varieties are currently harvesting or may begin with it in the next few days,” shared district agriculture officer (DAO) Sukhpal Singh Sekhon.
Talking to farmers on procurement process, they suggested that Punjab Mandi Board (PMB) must come up with more covered sheds and stores for storing paddy and wheat.
“Each year PMB fails to provide sufficient storage facility due to which paddy or wheat in mandis gets wet. This leads to decline in grain quality and if it is not dried on time, grains also rot,” said a group of officials.