Ludhiana mandis wear deserted look as wheat procurement yet to start

Wheat procurement officially began in Punjab on April 1, but the mandis in Ludhiana wore a deserted look as arrivals are yet to begin. Farmers say harvesting will pick up only around Baisakhi, with the crop still maturing in the fields.

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), explained, “The recent weather changes have delayed harvesting. It will take another 10 days before farmers can bring their produce to the mandis.”

Farmers across the district echoed similar concerns. Amarbir Singh from Kaunke Kalan village said that the early March heat had prompted farmers to irrigate their fields, but subsequent rains increased moisture level. “The crop has not matured fully and will take another 10-15 days. The sudden shifts in temperature and rain have slowed the process,” he added.

Paramjit Singh from Samrala voiced another worry, “The erratic weather has resulted in blackening of the wheat crop. Earlier, February was unusually hot, and then sudden rainfall followed. This abrupt change has damaged the crop and led to blackening.”

Meanwhile, procurement will be further disrupted by an indefinite strike launched by arhtiyas (commission agents) across Punjab. As of April 1 agents have stopped operations, demanding restoration of the earlier 2.5% commission structure instead of the current flat rate of Rs 45 per quintal.

Vijay Kalra, president of the Federation of Arhtiya Association of Punjab, said, “The government replaced the percentage-based commission with a fixed rate of Rs 45 per quintal, which is unjust and has adversely impacted our income.”

A meeting with the Chief Minister was held yesterday, and another round of talks is scheduled for April 6 to resolve the issue. Until then, procurement remains stalled, leaving farmers anxious about timely lifting of their crop.