Paddy Piles Up in Punjab-Haryana Mandis; Lifting Pace Sluggish

Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana, two leading contributors of rice to the central pool, are witnessing a robust harvest of Kharif paddy, with arrivals at government procurement centers rising rapidly. However, the pace of procurement and lifting remains relatively slow, leading to a massive pile-up of paddy at these centers and causing significant difficulties for farmers trying to sell their produce. Reports indicate that thousands of tonnes of paddy in the mandis (markets) of Punjab and Haryana have been damaged or ruined due to heavy rainfall on October 11.

Favorable weather and rainfall conditions this year point towards an excellent paddy harvest in Punjab and Haryana. While there is a heavy influx of paddy into the mandis, it is not being lifted in adequate quantities or in a timely manner. Procurement operations are also facing hurdles; farmers are often forced to wait three to four days to sell their produce.

The Punjab government had urged the Centre to ensure proper storage arrangements for paddy to avoid difficulties in safely housing the newly procured stock. However, it appears this request did not receive adequate attention. Massive stocks of government rice have accumulated at rice millers' premises, creating an urgent need for their immediate clearance. The Punjab government is concerned about the hardships faced by farmers, especially given the upcoming assembly elections in the state next year.