Faridkot mandis bursting at seams, no space to stock fresh produce

All procurement centres in Faridkot are bursting at seams due to negligible movement and lifting of procured stock of paddy. Out of total 44,462 metric tonne (MT) paddy that has been procured by Saturday evening, only 2,141 MT (less than 5 per cent) has been lifted from the procurement centres in the district. A majority share in the lifted paddy is that of private buyers.

Farmers can be seen standing guard near the heaps of their produce that has not been procured so far. Many others whose produce has been procured by the agencies are also forced to do the same as their produce has not been lifted yet.

According to the Punjab Mandi Board, only 2,141 MT paddy has been lifted and transported from the procurement centres so far, while 42,321 MT is yet to be lifted. In the absence of any offset of the paddy stock, all procurement centres are bursting at seams and the farmers are facing problem in finding space to unload their produce.

“Some desperate farmers are trying to sell their produce to private buyers, but the problem with small and marginal farmers is that they have to sell their produce through commission agents,” said Mandir Singh, a farmer from Golewala.

Private buyers are also making negligible purchase this time. Out of total 44,462 MT paddy procured in the district, private buyers have purchased only 1,144 MT and most of that has been lifted by the buyers.