28% more paddy arrival at mandis this year, say officials

Amritsar, October 15

A total of 3, 85, 351 metric tonnes of paddy have been procured by various government and private agencies in the district so far.

Officials of the District Mandi Board said an increase of 28 per cent had been noted in the arrival of paddy this season as compared to last year.

Of the total purchase so far, the government agencies have procured 1,76, 006 metric tonnes while private agencies have procured around 2, 09, 345 metric tonnes.

This year, around 3, 86, 709 metric tonnes of paddy arrived at mandis as compared to 3, 05, 972 metric tonnes, which had arrived last year. Officials attributed the increase to less sowing of basmati varieties and an increase in the area under the cultivation of paddy varieties.

Swaran Singh from the District Mandi Board said so far, Pungrain had purchased 94, 983 metric tonnes of paddy, FCI 3,171 metric tonnes, Markfed 10, 557 metric tonnes, Punsup 18, 838 metric tonnes, Warehouse 9,845 metric tonnes and Punjab Agro 16, 513 metric tonnes. — TNS