Target met, agencies stop buying wheat

Tribune News Service

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Faridkot, April 29

Some procurement agencies have stopped buying wheat in the district today, claiming they have met their annual target.

The development came as a rude shock to the farmers and commission agents as a huge stock of wheat is yet to be procured in the local grain market.

One such agency Markfed says it has already purchased its target stock of foodgrain as per the availability of warehousing capacity allotted to it.

Vinod Kumar, district manager, Markfed, said: “The target of 12,400 tonnes has been met. We cannot buy more from Faridkot as we do not have more storage capacity,” said the DM. Mohammad Tayyab, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, said other agencies had been asked to speed up procurement.

Standing crop gutted

Phagwara: Wheat crop over 19 acres was damaged in several villages around the town on Wednesday. Fire department officials said fire incidents were reported from seven villages. Major loss was caused to farmers at Narur and Samradi villages.

Lifting yet to pick pace

Sangrur: After delayed procurement, the slow pace of lifting wheat from grain markets and procurement centres in the district is a matter of concern for farmers and commission agents.

More than 4 lakh tonnes of wheat was lying in the grain markets and procurement centres across the district till last evening.