Lights have been installed and the grain market been clean as the District administration gears up for wheat intake. Wheat markets opened on Wednesday, but no wheat has arrived yet.
Mandi Board said this year crop yield would be about 10-15% less as compared to last year.
Farmers are blaming the fluctuating weather in first quarter of year for the low yield. District Mandi officials said, "2.7 lakh metric ton wheat arrived last year. However, we expect 15% less this year as growth was affected by inclined weather."
Meanwhile, Mandi is ready for smooth procurement of wheat as 34 purchasing centers have been made. Special arrangements have been made for farmers and district administration has appealed the farmers to refrain from harvesting immature wheat and not to operate harvest combine in the night.
District mandi officer Rupinder Singh Mann said 6 major private and government agencies would purchase the wheat. Amongst these 6 - Food Corporation of India, Markfed and District Food Supply would purchase 20% each of the total produce.
The other agencies Punsup, Warehouse and Punjab Agro would buy remaining 40% collectively.
{{/usCountry}}The other agencies Punsup, Warehouse and Punjab Agro would buy remaining 40% collectively.
{{/usCountry}}Mann added that a special grievances team for farmers has been made which would fix the problems faced by farmers during paddy procurement.
This team would consist of mandi officer, secretary and other officers and would be monitored by deputy commissioner KS Sangha. A separate control room has been created which would function round the clock.
Department has also made arrangements to combat rain. Agency officers have been asked to ensure that they have adequate gunny. Mann said, government would make all the payment within three days after purchasing the wheat.