Haryana: Grain markets chock-a-block with paddy

By Parveen Arora

Heavy arrival and slow lifting of procured paddy have marred the ongoing paddy procurement season as glut-like conditions can be witnessed in almost all grain markets of Karnal and Kaithal districts.

Farmers are hardly getting any space to unload paddy as heaps of paddy bags are lying in the grain markets. As per data of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, of the total arrival of 27.21 lakh quintals of parmal varieties, the procurement agencies have purchased 23.10 lakh quintals in Karnal district. As many as 16.24 lakh quintals are lying in grain markets and purchase centres.

Similarly in Kaithal district, of 28 lakh quintals, the agencies had lifted 14.8 lakh quintals until yesterday. As per officials, it is mandatory for the agencies to lift the crop within 48 hours of purchase to avoid glut-like conditions at purchase centres.

Farmers and arhtiyas said paddy arrival had picked up pace, so the authorities should speed up the lifting process. Trucks were seen there and labourers were loading paddy, but farmers said the number of vehicles must be increased. “Paddy arrival has picked up pace, but slow lifting has created a space crunch. The authorities must speed up lifting,” said Rajpal, a farmer in the Karnal grain market. The situation was similar in Assandh, Gharaunda, Kaithal, Cheeka and other grain markets.

Rajnish Chaudhary, president of the Karnal arhtiyas association, said due to slow lifting, farmers were hardly getting any space. “We have requested the procurement agencies to increase vehicles to lift paddy,” he said.

Karnal DC Anish Yadav said the agencies had been asked to speed up lifting. The situation would improve in a couple of days, he stated.

Kaithal DC Prashant Panwar said to ensure sufficient space to unload paddy and ensure smooth functioning, they had regulated the arrival system. SDMs had been asked to visit the grain markets regularly.

This article has been republished from The Tribune