Over 500,000 Tonnes of Paddy Arrives in Punjab Mandis

07-Oct-2025 01:20 PM

Chandigarh. In Punjab, the state that contributes the largest amount of rice to the central rice pool, harvesting and supply of the new paddy crop has begun.

According to available data, 514,037 tons of paddy arrived in various mandis across the state by October 6th, of which 481,967 tons, or approximately 96 percent, were procured by the government.

Approximately ₹923 crore has been disbursed to farmers' bank accounts for the purchased paddy, while the remaining ₹743 crore is still pending.

The President of the Khanna Grain Market Arhtiya Association stated that approximately 700,000 bags of paddy arrived in the local mandi, of which over 600,000 bags have been procured and payment has been made.

This time, the Punjab government decided to begin paddy procurement on September 15th, instead of the usual date of October 10th, providing significant relief to farmers who were not forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices.

The situation in Patiala was slightly different. Due to the forecast of heavy rainfall, farmers accelerated the harvesting of their paddy. As a result, the moisture content of paddy arriving in the markets is quite high.

Government agencies are hesitant to procure it and pack it in gunny bags, so they have asked farmers to wait until the paddy is completely dried or its moisture content reaches acceptable levels.

Paddy with up to 17 percent moisture content is being procured at a price of Rs. 180-300 per quintal lower than the minimum support price.

Punjab farmers are already suffering from heavy rainfall and floods this year, and therefore, they should not be exploited further.

In the coming time, the arrival of paddy at government procurement centres in the markets of Punjab is likely to increase rapidly.