Wheat starts arriving in Fazilka market

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, April 14

The arrival of wheat has started in the Fazilka grain market. Official sources said about 2,100 quintals of wheat had arrived in Fazilka district this evening, but government agencies were yet to start procurement.

Procurement agencies are hesitant in buying the produce owing to high moisture content than the permissible limits of 12 per cent due to repeated rain spells. Officially, the procurement began on April 11.

“I have brought two trolley loads of about 80 quintals of wheat two days ago, but it is yet to be sold,” said Ajit Singh of Rana village. The arrival is likely to pick up in a few days. It has been delayed due to recent torrential rains. Despite rain and inclement weather, the district administration is expecting 5 per cent increase in the arrival as compared to the previous year.

Deputy Commissioner Ravinder Singh said this year the arrival of about 7,00,550 MT wheat was expected as compared to the last season’s arrival of about 6,67,200 MT in Fazilka district.

He claimed that all arrangement had been made for the smooth procurement of the wheat.

As many as 84 purchase centres have been set up in Fazilka, one of the highest wheat producing districts of the region. Out of the total procurement, 20 per cent, would be made by each Pungrain, Punsup, Markfed and the FCI followed by 11 per cent by Punjab State Ware Housing Corporation and 9 per cent by Punjab Agro Foodgrain Corporation.