Farmers fear losses as discoloured paddy remains unlifted at mandis

Farmers in areas, including Jodhan, Raikot, Narangwal and a few other villages, are a worried lot over the non-lifting of yellow-coloured paddy from mandis. They alleged that government procurement agencies were lifting only the clean produce while the discoloured grain continued to lie unattended. Farmers fear that once the lifting begins, cuts will be imposed by the agencies and arhtiyas, leading to financial losses.

Talking to The Tribune, Tarsem Singh Jodhan said in Jodhan Mandi, around 50,000 bags had arrived so far, of which 30,000 had been lifted, while nearly 20,000 bags were still lying in the market.

“The remaining stock consists mainly of “haldi-rog” affected paddy, which has turned yellow due to excessive rainfall. Everyone knows the kind of havoc the rains created in the region. Instead of creating hurdles, the authorities must ensure that the farmers should not suffer any financial setbacks,” he said.

Another farmer leader, Baldev Singh Latala, said farmers in the Latala and Raikot areas were facing similar problems. “If the discoloured grain is not lifted timely, farmers will be forced to sell the same at lower prices. Arhtiyas will act as middlemen and the farmers will bear the brunt,” he said. “Nearly 20–25 per cent of the paddy in the area is discoloured. The government must ensure that such produce is also lifted without discrimination,” he added.

One of the officials of the Food and Supplies Department said there was a problem of discolouration in the grain, somewhere it was more and at other parts it is less. Now, the FCI officials and Central Government teams had also visited and checked several mandis for granting relaxation to buy the discolored grains. The visiting teams were already shown the discoloured grains.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, however, said: “We are with the farmers and already sent our report to headquarters regarding the yellow grains. The expert team has also visited and we are pursuing vigorously and awaiting for the final report and relaxations. Meanwhile, the DFSC was directed to ensure smooth purchase at MSP.