Tardy lifting of wheat: Uncertain weather cause for concern

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 17

Uncertain weather conditions coupled with tardy lifting have worried wheat farmers. They say they are in no position to store the produce in fields because of fear of showers and fire.

Manakpur village resident Gulab Singh, who had sown wheat over 20 acres, said: “As the weather was uncertain, I harvested my crop on Friday and stored it in my home instead of taking it to the grain market as there is space crunch there. The government had also stopped procurement for two days. Harvested crop can’t be left in the fields due to the fear of fire.”

Duni Chand, president of the Ambala City Grain Market Commission Agents Association, said: “Due to poor lifting there is no space left in the market. The weather has been uncertain for the last couple of days. If it rains, the stock will get moist. This will further delay the procurement.”

Of the 2 lakh MT of wheat procured in Ambala till April 16, around 45.15 per cent has been lifted.

Rakesh Bains, spokesman for the BKU (Charuni), said: “The two-day ban on buying the produce has exposed government’s claims regarding smooth procurement. It seems officials are trying to run grain markets as government offices. They must understand that farmers are not in a position to store the harvested crop. The government must make arrangements and ensure smooth procurement.”

District Food and Supplies Controller Rajeshwar Moudgil said, “We have asked contractors to increase the pace of lifting the procured produce. They have been told to increase the number of labourers and vehicles, and lift the maximum stock so that farmers and commission agents don’t face any inconvenience.”

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