Sangrur: Farmers Criticize Inadequate Storage Solutions

Rain and hailstorms have caused delays in the lifting of wheat from various grain markets in the district. The farmers are claiming that neither the arhtiyas (commission agents) nor the government employees have made any arrangements to protect the wheat from the rain.

The process of lifting wheat appears to be proceeding at a slow pace, potentially due to the authorities' desire for the grains to dry out before being collected. Unfortunately, recent rain and hailstorms have caused damage to wheat that was stored in open areas in various villages, revealing the administration's lack of readiness for wheat procurement. Harjinder Singh, the press secretary for the Lehra block of the BKU (Ugrahan), has suggested that the government should investigate this issue.

Government agencies and private parties have purchased a total of 736,637 metric tons of produce. Pungrain has acquired 278,091 metric tons, FCI has obtained 5,800 metric tons, Markfed has purchased 171,076 metric tons, Punsup has procured 124,150 metric tons, while the Warehouse has bought 73,420 metric tons. Private traders have purchased 84,100 metric tons of produce up until this point.

Out of the total amount of wheat purchased, authorities have lifted 3,46,101 metric tonnes while the remaining 3,90,536 metric tonnes are still stored in various grain markets. Pungrain has lifted 1,19,195 metric tonnes, FCI has lifted 1,922 metric tonnes, Markfed has lifted 63,386 metric tonnes, Punsup has lifted 46,290 metric tonnes, and warehouses have lifted 31,208 metric tonnes. Private traders have also lifted all the wheat they purchased.

“Since there is recurring rain and hailstorm in the district, the Punjab Government should accelerate wheat lifting to make space for the arrival of fresh produce. As the wheat is getting wet repeatedly, its quality will be affected. Ultimately, the farmers and the government will have to bear the losses,” said Nihal Singh, another farmer in the area.

According to District Mandi Officer Jaspal Singh Ghuman, no complaints have been received regarding a shortage of tarpaulins for covering wheat. He further added that in case any farmer is encountering such a problem, they should reach out to his office for assistance. “On April 20, 61,338 MT of wheat was lifted from various grain markets. On April 19 and on April 18, 60,930 MT and 47,661 MT of wheat were lifted, respectively, in the district. Wheat lifting is increasing daily,” said Ghuman.

-The Tribune

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