Punjab prepares for smooth paddy procurement

The North News

Chandigarh, August 28

Punjab is making elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth procurement of paddy during the upcoming Kharif season, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said on Thursday. Khudian, accompanied by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, reviewed preparations with senior officials from the Agriculture, Food & Civil Supplies Department, and the Punjab Mandi Board at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh.

He said the Bhagwant Mann-led government would install Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) calibrated moisture meters in all grain markets to standardise crop measurement. Additional infrastructure — including sheds, potable water, electricity, and cleanliness in mandis — would be in place to facilitate farmers.

During the meeting, Khudian also reviewed the situation in flood-affected districts through a video conference with Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs). Agriculture Secretary Dr Basant Garg urged CAOs to take proactive measures to support farmers and sensitise them to bring adequately dried crops to markets to avoid procurement hurdles.

Punjab Mandi Board Secretary Ramvir told the meeting that field staff had been deployed to ensure essential facilities, including drinking water, toilets, electricity and shelters.

Director of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Varinder Kumar Sharma, said that of the 5.40 lakh bales of bardana (gunny bags) required for procurement, 3.50 lakh had already been received, while the remaining would arrive by mid-September.