Wheat Stock Piling Up in Muktsar Mandis Amid Slow Lifting

29-Apr-2025 12:58 PM

Muktsar, Punjab – April 28, 2025: Despite active wheat procurement across various government purchase centers in Punjab, slow lifting of purchased stock has led to significant accumulation in many mandis, including those in Muktsar district. This logistical bottleneck is now creating serious difficulties for farmers trying to unload their fresh harvest.

According to official data, over 6 lakh tonnes of wheat have arrived in Muktsar district mandis during the current Rabi marketing season.

Of this, approximately 5.79 lakh tonnes have already been procured. However, only 2.35 lakh tonnes have been lifted and transported to storage facilities, leaving a substantial 3.44 lakh tonnes still lying in the mandis.

Officials admit that while lifting operations initially proceeded at a regular pace, the sudden spike in arrivals over recent days diverted attention toward procurement rather than movement.

“Efforts are now underway to ramp up the pace of lifting,” a source stated, adding that such backlogs are common during peak arrival periods but usually normalize over time.

The delay in lifting is also creating severe space constraints in mandis. In an unusual move, authorities were reportedly forced to temporarily store wheat stocks at local cremation grounds due to the lack of space.

In Punjab, wheat arrivals typically intensify from mid-April to mid-May, placing significant pressure on mandi infrastructure and logistics.

Farmers have voiced concern over the delays, noting that extended waiting times for unloading their produce result in financial and logistical burdens.

With procurement continuing at full swing and the arrival season still active, officials stress the need for better coordination between procurement and transportation agencies to prevent further pile-ups and to ease the burden on farmers and mandi operations.