Heat causes moisture loss, cuts wheat bags weight in Fazilka grain markets : Punjab
Delayed wheat lifting in Fazilka has reduced bag weights as moisture content dropped from 12% to 9% amid 40°C heat. Only 56% of 74,926 MT procured wheat was lifted, while rain damage fears and truck shortages intensified concerns among commission agents and farmers.
The reduction in the weight of wheat-filled bags lying in the Fazilka grain markets has caused concern among stakeholders. Due to the tardy lifting of the produce, these bags have been lying in the mandis for several days.
With the mercury hovering around 40°C, the bags have lost weight because of a decrease in moisture content.
Even one month after the commencement of the season, only about 56 percent of the wheat has been lifted, while wheat bags worth Rs 7 lakh have been lying in the open in the Fazilka grain market.
According to market committee sources, 74,926 MT of wheat has been procured in the Fazilka grain markets. Out of this, 42,054 MT (56 percent) had been lifted till Saturday, despite one month having passed since the commencement of the season.
Arhtiya Association President Sanjeev Goldy Sachdeva and Secretary Aman Kwatra claimed that when the bags were filled, the moisture content was around 12 percent, which has now dropped to nearly 9 percent, resulting in a shortage of nearly 1 kg per 50-kg bag.
During previous years, commission agents were forced to bear the loss caused by the weight difference, Sachdeva said. He added that payments were withheld if they refused to compensate for the shortage, causing financial strain.
“Last year also, we had to bear losses, but this time, we have decided to oppose it strongly.”
The commission agents said that the wheat stored in filled bags in the open was damaged due to rain last week. Moreover, according to the India Meteorological Department, over the next three days, rain is expected in the district.
The shortage of trucks is said to be the primary reason behind the delay in lifting wheat. Farmers and commission agents alleged that contractors had failed to provide an adequate number of trucks for timely lifting.
Attempts to speak to District Food and Supplies Controller Vandana Kamboj proved futile.
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Source : The Tribune
