Punjab: No wheat arrival expected despite start of procurement season in Amritsar

By Manmeet Singh Gill

Even as government procurement of wheat in Punjab is set to begin on April 1, officials in the district do not expect any significant arrival of the crop in the coming days, as harvesting has not yet started.

According to mandi officials, the wheat crop is still standing in the fields and has not reached the stage of harvesting. In the district, farmers typically begin harvesting after Baisakhi, when the crop is fully mature. At present, the grain has high moisture content, making it unsuitable for procurement. Officials said that all necessary arrangements for procurement have been completed across grain markets in the district, including cleaning, storage, and logistics. “We are fully prepared for the procurement season, but no arrivals are expected at this stage,” a mandi official said.

Farmers also confirmed that harvesting will take more time. “The crop is not ready yet. If we harvest now, the moisture content will be high and it will not fetch the right price. We will begin after Baisakhi,” said Gurpreet Singh, a farmer from a nearby village.

Authorities expect arrivals to pick up in mid-April once harvesting begins.

This article has been republished from The Tribune.