Only 34,640 MT of grade-A paddy procured in Yamunanagar dist

The Assembly elections and adverse weather conditions have delayed harvesting of the paddy crop in Yamunanagar district this year. Only 34,640 metric tonnes (MT) of grade-A paddy had so far been procured in grain markets of the district till October 4.

However, 1,36,094 MT of paddy was procured in the corresponding period last year. Paddy was sown on two lakh acres in Yamunanagar district this year.

As per available information, till October 4, 2024, 34,640 MT of grade-A paddy arrived in all 13 grain markets of the district. During this period, 23,462 MT paddy was purchased by the Food and Supplies Department, 5,408 MT by HAFED and 5,770 MT by Haryana Warehousing Corporation.

In Bilaspur grain market 3223 MT of paddy was purchased, in Chhachhrauli grain market 1,542 MT, in Gumthala Rao grain market 232 MT, in Jagadhari grain market 7116 MT, in Jathlana grain market 60 MT, in Kharwan grain market 1,040 MT, in Pratap Nagar grain market 4,579 MT, in Saraswati Nagar grain market 11,115 MT, in Radaur grain market 2,362 MT, in Ranjitpur grain market 345 MT, in Rasulpur grain market 807 MT and in Sadhaura grain market 2,219 MT.

Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar directed all procurement agencies to make arrangements for early lifting of paddy purchased from grain markets so that farmers could sell their crops conveniently.

He said farmers should bring paddy to grain markets after drying it so that they did not have to face any problem in selling their crop. He also ordered market committee officials to ensure availability of electricity, water, toilets and cleanliness in grain markets.

He said from time to time, he himself would visit grain markets and review the procurement work.

Ravinder Kumar, a farmer of Panjupur village, who came to sell his paddy crop in Jagadhri grain market said, “I have come to the grain market with paddy crop for the first time this season. I didn’t face any problem in selling my produce in this market.”

Aditya Pratap Dabas, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Yamunanagar, said this year, paddy crop harvesting started a little late in Yamunanagar district due to rain during the last 15 days of September. He said besides, the Assembly elections also affected the harvesting work.