Haryana: Oilseed arrivals begin, Ambala farmers hope for good season
By Nitish Sharma
Oilseed farmers are hoping for a good season this year, with good prices being offered by private players.
The initial arrivals have been fetching good prices at the New Grain Market in Ambala Cantonment. Black mustard is fetching Rs 5,800 to 6,100 a quintal, Toria Rs 6,400-6,500 a quintal, and yellow mustard Rs 6,800 to 7,400 a quintal.
The farmers said though the private players had been offering good prices, government agencies should also enter the market so that the mustard stocks were not sold below the MSP of Rs 6,200 a quintal. Last year, the government started procurement on March 15.
Harpal Singh, an oilseed farmer, said, “Black mustard was sold at Rs 6,000 a quintal on Monday, while last year, I sold my produce for Rs 5,600 a quintal. Henceforth, I will be sowing sunflower and sell it to the government. Only one oilseed crop can be registered and sold at MSP in a season.”
Manpreet Singh, another farmer, said, “I will harvest my produce (black mustard) on Tuesday and sell in the grain market to private players as the produce is fetching a good price. The crop has suffered some damage due to the recent hailstorm. Even if the produce is sold for Rs 6,000-6,100 a quintal, there is no harm because the crop is ready and procurement starts around March 15. I will grow sunflower after harvesting mustard. Oilseeds have been giving better returns compared to wheat. I increased my area under oilseeds from 5 acres last year to 7 acres this year.”
An oilseed farmer and district president of BKU (Charuni), Malkit Singh, said, “Though oilseeds are getting good prices, a drop in yield is being witnessed due to the recent hailstorm in some areas. The prices will soften with more arrivals. The government procurement agency should also enter the market at the earliest so that the produce is not sold below MSP.”
Ajay Kumar, a trader, said, “There is a good response from big players, due to which oilseeds have been fetching good prices. The arrivals are likely to increase over the next few days, and continue to rule around the current levels.”
Neeraj Bhardwaj, secretary of the New Grain Market, said nearly 580 quintals had arrived so far. “The quality of the produce is good, and the farmers have been advised to bring produce after drying and cleaning, so that they don’t have to keep it in the market for long.”
Ambala Hafed District Manager Devender Singh said, “The decision related to the procurement date is taken by the authorities according to the prevailing conditions. Farmers are getting good prices. In such a condition, they will prefer to sell to private players. All the preparations have been made and we have also received gunny bags.”
This article has been republished from The Tribune.