Lack of sheds gives farmers tough time after rainfall at grain market

Rainfall received this morning exposed glaring infrastructural gaps at the grain market located on Gill Road near Arora Palace here. With no adequate shed facility available, farmers were seen hurriedly covering their harvested paddy produce with tarpaulins to protect it from moisture damage.

What added to their woes was the fact that the limited shed area at the market was already occupied — not by grain but by trucks loaded with cement sacks. The presence of the vehicles irked farmers, who questioned why non-agricultural goods were being stored in a space meant to safeguard food grains. “Who allowed the trucks to be stationed here?” asked several farmers.

“The rain caught us off guard early this morning. We rushed to cover our produce with tarpaulins but it’s not a foolproof solution. Sheds are too few and some are misused,” said Gurdev Singh from Mansuran village.

Tek Singh, another farmer present at the market, said: “We’ve been demanding proper shed infrastructure for years. Today’s situation shows how urgent the need is. The lifting of produce is going on but grains awaiting their turn are left exposed. This is unacceptable.”

A market worker shared, “When it rains suddenly, we scramble to cover grains. But it’s impossible to save everything in time. Water stagnation also damages the produce and we’ve already seen signs of spoilage.”

Experts warn that moisture exposure can lead to mold, discoloration and fungal growth — factors that severely impact the quality and market value of the crop.

According to the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, 4.4 mm of rainfall was received this morning, bringing the minimum temperature down to 19°C.

“The harvesting is picking up pace and farmers must focus on proper storage. We are ensuring that the sold produce is lifted but the produce under progressive lifting must be stored properly to ensure the optimal moisture content, said an official from the Mandi Board. The incident has reignited calls for the modernisation of grain markets and better planning to ensure that the agricultural infrastructure serves its intended purpose.