Punjab: Delay in harvesting, farmers fear loss in crop weight

Punjab: Lack of procurement and slow lifting of crops has not only led to space shortage in mandis but also delay in harvesting of ripened crops. Farmers fear that further delay may reduce the moisture content and weight of foodgrains. Hardev Singh of Bhogpur, who came to sell his produce at Maqsuda Mandi, said that his crop on 12 acres is yet to be harvested and the moisture content in the paddy crop was recorded at 14 per cent. “We are badly stuck and there is no way out,” he said. Most farmers at grain markets simply ask “Jhonna Katkar Rakhna Kithe Hai?” He said that those who have sown long duration varieties can still wait, but for others it is a difficult situation. “The situation is serious. I am yet to harvest a few acres. The grain has withered in my village,” said Sandeep Singh of Khichipur village. Vinit Kumar of Nakodar said, “I am waiting for the lifting to begin. There is no space in the mandis. The weight of the ripe crop is bound to decrease.”