PATIALA: The arrival of
wheat produce in grain markets of
Patiala and
Sangrur districts has witnessed a jump this year in comparison to last year, but the shortage of
gunny bags — meant for storing the crop — is turning into a problem.
Farmers in large number have started bringing their produce to grain markets. Hot weather and advance sowing of
wheat are said to be the main reasons behind the peak in arrivals.
Sangrur has received 1,88,000 metric tonne (MT) wheat, of which 1,57,000 MT had been procured by April 13. Last year, there was zero arrival during the same period. In Patiala, 1,48,502 MT wheat has arrived in 107 grain markets, of which 1,10,460 MT wheat has been procured.
“We are one week ahead this year in comparison to last in arrival and procurement of wheat. Last year. due to Covid, farmers were issued passes; but, this year, no
Covid passes have been issued as these restriction have been made. The major reason behind wheat arriving more this year is early hot weather which allows smooth harvesting after ripening of the crop,” said Sangrur district mandi officer Jaspal Singh Ghuman.
Patiala DMO Ajaypal Singh said 18 per cent of wheat produce has arrived so far, which was far more than last year.
However, arhtiyas and farmers are facing a tough time due to shortage of gunny bags. In Patiala, farmers had protested near New Grain Market on Sirhind Road over the shortage of gunny bags. The arhtiyas claimed that shortage of gunny bags was causing bitterness in their relations with farmers.
“There has been 60% shortage of gunny bags across the state and this would affect the procurement process. Our relations with farmers are also being affected as farmers assume we are not making efforts to procure their produce and load them in gunny bags. The tenders for recycled gunny bags will be opened on April 16 by the government, after which these bags will be supplied to grain markets,” said Sangrur Arhtiya Association president H S Popli.
Patiala Arhtiya Association president Harjit Singh Sheri said the district food and supply officials had reached the protest near New Grain Market and provided some gunny bags to meet the demand of the day. He said one lakh gunny bags were required every day during peak season of wheat arrival, but only 30%-40% demand was being met.
Sangrur DMO Jaspal Singh admitted to a shortage of gunny bags in the district.
Problems in uploading farmers’ bank details on Anaaj Kharid portal and shortage of bardana in some mandis are coming to the fore in wheat procurement.
Going by the shortage of bardana, farmers protested at Bhai Desa village in Mansa district on Wednesday. Farmer Gurdeep Singh said due to shortage of bardana, agencies were prolonging the procurement process. Irked by this, farmers held a protest, he said.