Punjab: Wheat purchase staggered, yet surpasses 2019 figures

Vibhor Mohan | TNN | Apr 23, 2020, 05:35 IST

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CHANDIGARH: Under the shadow of Covid-19 threat, Punjab may have gone in for staggered wheat procurement this time, but the quantity of wheat being brought to the grain markets by farmers is actually more than the arrivals at this time the last season.
It is believed that a sense of panic among farmers due to the new system of e-passes, besides the threat of untimely rains in some areas, has led to prompt harvesting of wheat. Desperate to get over with sale of their produce, farmers have lapped up the opportunity to get the e-passes being issued per trolley through the arthiyas. Farmers also point out that the weather was inclement till mid-April, and arrivals had gathered pace after that.

According to the details of total procurement till April 22, the progressive procurement went up from the corresponding figure of 6,54,949MT last season to 21, 49,737MT this time. Progressive arrival this time has been 23,56,694MT as on Wednesday.
However, the staggered procurement plan did have its share of teething troubles and the procurement on the first day (April 15) was 3,119MT, as compared to 18,309MT last year. Wheat arrivals continue to be slow in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot districts.
“Till Tuesday, Pathankot district had only seen arrivals of 638MT and it was 4,432MT in Amritsar. In contrast, the progressive arrival in Patiala was 2,20,961MT, putting it on top of the list,” said an official.
Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary of Bhartiya Kisan Union, said last year the weather was inclement during this time and wheat arrival had picked up after April 25. “That is the reason why the figures could be reflecting that. However, most of the grain markets are still mostly empty and issuance of passes to farmers should be increased. Farmers are facing troubles stocking the wheat produce at their end while waiting for the passes,” he said.
“After the intermittent showers in Amritsar and then Ropar and Patiala last week, there was weather forecast of some more rain, which sent the farmers in a tizzy. Most of them are anxious to get the procurement passes issued for their remaining produce and get over with the exercise,” said Randeep Kumar, a commission agent from Fatehgarh Sahib.