Punjab: Testing of 150 wheat samples begins at FCI labs
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has started testing the 150 samples of wheat collected from various parts of the state, to assess if the produce meets the quality specifications for procurement.
Though no one is officially commenting on the deterioration in grain quality, it is learnt that the grains have turned black at many places after water remained accumulated in the fields for several days. At places, where the lodging of crop was reported because of high velocity winds, the grains have turned white.
Khanna Arhtiya Association president Harbans Rosha said, “Initially, when the produce started arriving in the mandis, the moisture content was very high. We believe that now farmers will dry the grains before bringing these to mandis. The main problem is grain discolouration. Today, 12,074 tonne wheat arrived in mandis. Of the 21,063 tonne total arrivals, 3,221 tonne produce has been purchased.”
Sources said the samples were being tested at the FCI laboratories at Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Chandigarh. Confirming this, General Manager of the FCI (Punjab region) B Srinivasan said the test reports would be received tomorrow morning and these would be then forwarded to the FCI head office.
The central teams visited mandis and fields in Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda and Nawanshahr and collected grain samples even today. The teams, sent by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, have been visiting the fields and mandis in the state since April 7, after the state government sought relaxation in specifications for wheat procurement because of the damage suffered due to rain and high speed winds. The teams collected 54 samples on Friday and 68 on Saturday.
Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat told The Tribune that though the state government was giving enhanced compensation to farmers, the Centre should also come to their aid. “A special package should be announced by the Centre for the farmers whose crops were damaged. The government should also announce relaxation in specifications for procurement at the earliest,” he said.
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