Farmers are facing problem of slow paddy procurement in Punjab and Haryana

More than 10 days have passed since the government began procuring paddy in Punjab and Haryana, but the process is still not running smoothly in the mandis in Haryana and Punjab. Punjab and Haryana farmers are facing problem in mandis as lifting of paddy is slow although officials from both the government are claiming that procurement process is running smoothly. 

In Haryana, farmers are complainig that procurement process is very slow. Even the procured paddy remains piled up in the mandis, forcing farmers to unload it on roads. This has caused widespread frustration among farmers, who are angry over the current situation in mandis. 

In Punjab, laborers and millers ended their strike on September 7 and procurement resumed the following Tuesday. However, farmers are still facing difficulties in selling their crop. Nachattar Singh, a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union in Punjab, told Rural Voice that the strike had already delayed paddy procurement. Even after the strike ended, the process remained sluggish. Additionally, heavy rains have damaged paddy in some areas, and commission agents (Arhtiyas) are refusing to buy paddy due to high moisture levels.

Punjab Mandi Board Secretary Ramveer Singh told Rural Voice that laborers and commission agents have ended their strike, and paddy procurement has been ongoing since Tuesday. He mentioned that on Wednesday, paddy arrived in over 600 mandis, with procurement occurring in 425 mandis. While some farmers have raised complaints about moisture and quality, Singh said the purchases are being made in line with regulations.

Stacks of paddy piled outside the grain market in Kurukshetra 

A member of the Haryana Rice Millers Association, speaking anonymously to Rural Voice, said that millers have resumed lifting of paddy after assurances from the state government. However, several of their demands remain unresolved. Millers want that all of their issues needs to be addressed soon to allow for smoother procurement and milling operations.

Ashok Danoda, a young farmer leader from Haryana's Jind district, said that government procurement of paddy began on September 27. Thousands of tons of paddy are arriving daily, but only 10-15 percent is being purchased so far. He added that the recent assembly elections slowed down the process, though it has now picked up speed. However, lifting of the paddy remains an issue, with paddy crops left in the open. Heavy rain on Wednesday washed away some paddy in Kurukshetra Mandi. Danoda also noted that due to the lack of space in the mandis, farmers have been forced to pile their paddy on roads. With the elections over, he hopes procurement will proceed smoothly in the next few days.

Rain had damaged Paddy lying in the open in Mandis 

Paddy procurement in Haryana was originally scheduled to start from September, It was deffered to 1st  October. When farmers brought paddy in mandis and was informed of the postponement of procurement, they started protests. It forced the government t0 start procurment as per the original reschedule from 27 September. However, the strike by millers and the lack of buyers have caused further delays. While the elections also slowed down procurement, farmers in both Punjab and Haryana are still dealing with slow and problematic purchases even now.