All the arrangements for procurement of wheat have been completed in Asia’s biggest grain market, Khanna. However, the procurement will take some more time to reach the grain market as the crop is yet to mature. The purchase was proposed to start from April 1 but it is delayed due to weather conditions.

Agriculture experts said if a drastic change in weather like thunder showers does not happened in the coming days then bumper crop is likely.

Malkiat Singh, secretary of the market committee, Khanna, said they have completed all the arrangements for the procurement. He said that all the tools, including tarpaulins, drinking water and others have been arranged. The secretary said previous year about 14 lakh quintals of wheat was collected in this market. This year, they expect an increase of 10 pc.

He said all the five grain mandis falling under the Khanna Mandi, including Rahoun Mandi, Rauni Mandi, Issru and Rai Pur Mandi, have been prepared adequately. He also said all the purchasing agencies controlled by the state, including Pungrain, Pubsup, Markfed and Punjab Agro, have been allotted procurements from the grain market. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is yet to confirm the procurements. The secretary also appealed to the farmers of the area that they should brought their clean crop in the mandis after fulfillment of all the norms regarding the moisture.

Meanwhile, Balbir Singh Rajewal, President of Bharti Kisan Union, alleged that the farmers will face problems due to shortage of space in the godowns. Rajewal said the competent authorities should arrange the space in the godowns as soon as possible. Rajewal said the competent authorities should accept the recommendation of Commission On Agriculture Cost and Prices (CACP) to save the farmers of the state.