Punjab suffers grain drain
Friday, 26/10/2012
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SANGRUR: As harassment and pandemonium mar paddy procurement in grain markets of Punjab, the mandis of Haryana are proving to be the preferred selling grounds for farmers of the Patiala and Sangrur regions.
BHARAT BHUSHAN/HT The paddy glut at Ghanaur has made the procurement process in Punjab even more tedious for the farmers.
Not only farmers belonging to villages situated adjacent to Haryana border, but those from interior villages of both the districts have also opted to visit the more feasible grain market of Haryana. What’s further spurring the move is the glut of the crop arriving in Punjab’s grain markets coupled with slow lifting across the state.
If the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board officials are to be believed, farmers from Punjab have contributed around 40% of total procurement in grain markets at Gula Cheeka, Pehwa, Ambala city, Narwana, Tohana, Jakhal and other mandis in Ambala and Kaithal districts so far.
“At many grain markets, 50% of paddy yield is purchased from Punjab farmers. We have received better response in the paddy season than during the wheat procurement,” said Nihal Singh, Ambala district marketing enforcement officer.
The state farmers have also got rid of the “dictatorial and autocratic” attitude of mandi officers, who usually haggle over the moisture content. Farmers with over 17% moisture content in their paddy are not allowed to enter grain markets and unload their yield.
“Though we too are facing problem of increased moisture, public and private rice-mill owners are seen purchasing grains with even 20-21% moisture content,” Singh said. “Moreover, direct and advance payment lured the farmers.”
Veerpal Singh, a farmer from Ghanuar in Patiala district, said that besides getting profitable amount in Haryana mandis, they were able to sell their yield easily. “One is able to sell the crop yield in just a day. There is minimal harassment from commission agents and officials of procurement agencies.”
BOON FOR BASMATI GROWERS
With basmati varieties in great demand, farmers going to Haryana with PUSA 1121 and other varieties are making hefty profits. As per the available information, farmers are getting Rs 2300-2400 for basmati varieties over the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,285 per quintal. Rice traders are urging farmers to reduce area under non-basmati and common varieties, so the return for these is only Rs 100-150 over and above the MSP.
“Why would the farmer go to Punjab’s grain markets when he gets better prices in the neighboring state?” said Satnam Singh Bheru, state president of the Consortium of Indian Farmers’ Associations.
“The Punjab government should give good money to farmers for basmati varieties besides relaxing norms on moisture content,” he demanded.
‘HANDS TIED’, PUNJAB MANDI BOARD KEEPS RECORD
Acknowledging its inability to tackle surplus arrival of paddy yield in grain markets, chairman of Punjab Mandi Board, Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said the glut caused inconvenience in mandis, and that was making farmers go out of the state to sell their yield.
“Though we have made all arrangements for the farmers, but the glut has put officials of the board and procurement agencies in a quandary. Quick lifting and purchase in Haryana has attracted our farmers,” he added. “We have no constitutional right to stop farmers from going to other states. The central government’s strict guidelines on moisture content further leave our hands tied.”
Lakhowal said deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners across Punjab have been told to keep a record of paddy sold out of the state. “We are doing this exercise for the first time, so that adequate measures in future can stop the practice.”
