As wheat yield drops, Punjab may not meet procurement target

Punjab may miss its target of procuring 122 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat this rabi season due to a drop in crop yield, according to sources in the state Agriculture Department.

They said the yield had reduced by 1.50-2.50 quintals per hectare in different districts. An official said, according to initial estimates, the yield could drop to around 51.05 quintals per hectare from the last year’s 53.84 quintals per hectare, largely due to untimely rains.

This drop in yield was being calculated on the basis of nearly 48 per cent of wheat that has been harvested till date, the officer said.

Last year, 115 LMT wheat was procured by state agencies. Meanwhile, Monday saw the largest arrival of grains in the mandis during this season. Around 12 LMT of wheat arrived today. Till date, 50.73 LMT of wheat has arrived in the mandis.

So far, 7.44 LMT of wheat has been lifted, which is just 14.77 per cent of the total arrival.

Farmers seek girdawari to assess damage by fires

Abohar: Farmers from villages in Abohar and Balluana, who suffered losses due to fire incidents over the last week, have demanded a special girdawari to pave the way for compensation.

MLA Sandeep Jakhar, who has been visiting the affected villages, said he was informed about 150 acres of wheat crop being reduced to ashes due to a massive fire in Jodhpur village. “This is an irreparable loss for farmers,” he said. “It is deeply regrettable that even three days after a massive tragedy, no senior official deemed it appropriate to even take cognisance of the plight of the affected farmers,” he added.