94% targeted wheat procured; Sangrur leads state in arrivals
Despite challenges like delayed harvesting and concerns over moisture content, Punjab has achieved significant wheat procurement this season. Out of the target of 132 LMT, 125.83 LMT has arrived, with government agencies and millers procuring 124 LMT. Sangrur leads with 11 LMT, followed by Patiala with 9.25 LMT and Ferozepur with 8.47 LMT. Rs 25,387.8 crore has been released to farmers, ensuring smooth operations in mandis.
Chandigarh: Against the target of procuring 132 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat this season, 125.83 LMT of produce has arrived in the grain markets as on Tuesday, of which 124 LMT has been procured by govt agencies and millers. However, lifting of stocks continues to be tardy and so far 78.51 LMT of wheat has been moved. Harchand Singh Barsat, chairman, Mandi Board, said Sangrur district had witnessed the highest wheat arrival and procurement so far with procurement of 11 LMT of wheat, followed by 9.25 LMT in Patiala and 8.47 LMT in Ferozepur.
In some parts of the state harvesting was delayed due to untimely rain and it led to high moisture content in the grains. This has raised concerns if the state will be able to meet the targeted procurement of wheat, even though officials are apprehensive that some farmers could be hoarding their stocks for prices to rise and will sell it to private traders. Daily arrivals picked up last week and 12.83 LMT arrived in the grain markets on April 25, followed by 11.66 LMT on April 26. The daily arrival hovered around 8 LMT on April 27 and 28 but came down to 5.08 LMT on April 29. The day’s arrival has fallen to only 1.33 LMT on Tuesday
Barsat said Rs 25,387.8 crore has been released to farmers out of the cash credit limit of Rs 30,077 crore during the Rabi season 2024-25. “Adequate arrangements were made by the board to conduct procurement works in mandis, prioritizing the convenience of farmers, traders, and laborers. As a result, wheat procurement works in mandis were smoothly carried out without any inconvenience to farmers. A team of officials have been formed by the Punjab Mandi Board to conduct regular inspections in mandis,” he said. Till Monday, said Barsat, 123.81 LMT of wheat had been received in 1907 designated mandis and 826 temporary procurement centres of Punjab Mandi Board, out of which 123.26 lakh metric tonnes of wheat was procured.
