12,000 MT basmati arrives at mandis

Harvesting of basmati crop in the district has picked up pace. Nearly 12,000 metric tonnes (MT) of produce has reached mandis in the district. A maximum of 5,677 MT of the crop arrived at the Bhagtanwala Dana Mandi followed by 3,698 MT at the Gehri Mandi.

Harvesting in the vegetable belt along the periphery of the city begins early as compared to other areas as farmers sow third crop before sowing wheat. In the remaining blocks of the district, harvesting is yet to start. Harvesting of parmal varieties of paddy is expected to begin only after a fortnight as it is still unripe. District agriculture officials

District agriculture officials said harvesting in the vegetable belt along the periphery of the city begins early as compared to other areas as farmers sow third crop before sowing wheat.

They said in the remaining blocks of the district, harvesting was yet to start. They said harvesting of parmal varieties of paddy was expected to start only after a fortnight as it was still unripe.

“The government procurement of parmal varieties of paddy usually begins in the first week of October. However, during the first few days of the procurement, parmal harvesting hardly begins as its grains have more moisture content,” officials added.

District mandi board officials said preparations for the procurement of paddy had already been made which include arrangements for proper shade, electricity, drinking water and washrooms for farmers who would bring their produce in mandis.

A visit to grain markets in the district revealed that though basmati was procured by private traders, it was yet to be lifted. Mandi board officials said traders had been asked to lift the procured produce before the procurement of the parmal varieties of paddy starts.