Jalandhar's paddy procurement off to a slow start due to rain

Despite the official launch of paddy procurement across Punjab on Tuesday, no significant arrival of the crop was reported in the mandis across Jalandhar district.

Only a minimal quantity was received at the Bhogpur mandi, officials confirmed. When The Tribune visited the main grain market in Jalandhar in the morning, no farmers were present with their produce.

The grain market wore a deserted look with a few laborers around.  An arhtiya (commission agent) at the mandi said that arrivals were likely to begin within the next four to five days. “All arrangements in the mandi have been made.

However, bulk arrival of paddy is expected only after 10 to 15 days,” he added. Officials and farmers attributed the delay in arrivals primarily to the recent spell of heavy rainfall in the region, which has impacted the drying process of the paddy.

Tarsem Singh, a farmer from Nakodar, said that excessive rainfall had delayed the harvesting process. “Had it not rained so heavily, harvesting would have begun by now. It will take at least another week for my paddy crop to mature properly,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal had earlier instructed mandi officials to ensure that all essential facilities—including drinking water, electricity, lighting, sanitation, and toilets—were in place for the convenience of farmers. He also appealed to farmers to bring their produce to the mandis only after properly drying it, as per government guidelines, to avoid procurement delays.

With favourable weather and drying conditions expected in the coming days, officials are hopeful that procurement operations will pick up momentum soon.