Farmers in distress as 40K-quintal bajra lying unsold at Jhajjar grain market

Over 40,000 quintals of bajra that arrived at the Jhajjar grain market remain unsold, leaving farmers distressed. Procurement agency officials claim that the produce exceeds the permissible limits of damage and discolouration, making it ineligible for the purchase.

“This is a double whammy for farmers. My 120 quintals of bajra have been lying unsold at the market for nearly a week. Initially, our crop got 50 per cent damaged due to waterlogging. And now, the agency is not procuring it on grounds of damage and discolouration,” said Pradeep, a farmer from Patauda village.

He urged the state government to intervene and relax procurement norms, arguing that the quality issues stemmed from a natural calamity beyond the farmers’ control.

Ajit, another farmer from Machhrauli village, echoed similar concerns. “Most bajra farmers are facing severe distress, first due to low yield, and now because their produce is lying unsold at mandi. All eyes are now on the government for immediate relief,” he added.

Adding to the farmers’ grievances, Vinod Punia, president of the Arhtiya Association at the grain market, alleged that even bajra that met the set criteria was not being procured.

“Forget discoloured stock, even the fair-quality produce is being left out. This is affecting our business and pushing farmers to store unsold bajra in their homes as there is no space left in the market yards,” he said.

Punia demanded that the government ensure procurement of all produce, especially since the discolouration was a result of natural factors and not poor post-harvest handling.

Ajay Beniwal, an official from the government procurement agency, confirmed that no bajra had been procured so far due to quality concerns. “As per norms, the acceptable limit for damage and discoloration is up to 6 per cent, but the arriving produce is showing levels between 10 per cent to 28 per cent. We are ready to procure but only the produce that meets the norms,” he said.

Ram Niwas, secretary of the Jhajjar Market Committee, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “Over 40,000 quintals of bajra have been received so far, with the majority being discoloured,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner S Ravindra Patil issued clear instructions to the procurement agencies, directing them to ensure the purchase of produce in strict accordance with the state government's guidelines. He emphasised that no farmer should face unnecessary inconvenience in the grain market, and if any issue arose, it must be immediately resolved