Agencies refuse to lift moist wheat

Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, April 17

In view of high level of moisture content in the grain, no purchasing agency is coming forward to purchase wheat at 34 purchase centres in the district. This has caused resentment among the farmers who have already suffered losses due to unseasonal rain.

The problems of the farmers have increased further after a fresh spell of rain on Tuesday, which increased the moisture content of the harvested crop, besides delaying harvesting of the standing crop.

Harnek Singh, a farmer from Rajindergarh village, said: “I arrived at the grain market four days ago, but no agency came forward to procure my produce. Rain has increased the moisture content in the grain to 14-15 per cent. It will take another four-five days to dry the crop and bring the moisture level to 12 per cent.”

Harjit Kaur, District Food and Supply Controller, said owing to high moisture content, no government agency had turned up to procure wheat. She hoped that the procurement would start soon. She said tenders for labour contracts had been advertised and would be awarded soon.