No wheat in mandis on Day 1 of procurement

Though wheat procurement began today in Punjab’s grain market, no arrivals were reported on the first day of procurement as the crop in the region is yet to mature. Grain markets in Ludhiana at Jalandhar bypass, Gill Road and at Khanna and Jagraon wore a deserted look on Tuesday.

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Despite the start of procurement by Food and Civil Supplies Department, Markfed, Punsup, State Warehousing Corporation, and Food Corporation of India, no produce arrived in grain markets.

According to an Agriculture Department official, wheat arrivals are expected to pick up in the second week of April. “The crop is yet to be harvested as there was moisture in the air. Crop will be ready by Baisakhi, so harvesting will pick up pace around April 15,” said Mohinder Singh, a farmer from Hedon Bet.

Another farmer further added that the standing crop has not dried enough and harvesting has been delayed. The wheat crop is likely to start arriving in mandis after April 10. Recent rains have further delayed harvesting as the standing crop has not dried properly, said Gurmail Singh from Samrala.

Meanwhile, garbage was littered around in the grain market at Jalandhar bye pass grain market. Heaps of garbage can be seen littered around the market making it impossible to pass near the stretch. The roads here are in bad shape giving a bumpy ride to those coming the grain market. Same is the condition at Jagraon grain market as well.