Chandigarh, Oct 28 (IANS) Despite reports of paddy arriving in discoloured form and higher moisture content due to erratic weather in recent months, food grain states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 110 lakh tonnes this season, food and supplies officials of both states said Monday.
In Punjab, government agencies and private millers procured nearly 78 lakh tonnes paddy, officials said.
Over 93.2 percent of the paddy arrival has been procured by government agencies while the rest has been procured by private rice shellers and traders.
Patiala, Ferozepur and Moga districts were leading in paddy procurement, the officials said.
Farmers in some districts of the state are complaining that their paddy stocks were not being purchased by government agencies.
“The parameters set by the central government for the moisture content and colour have to be followed strictly. Erratic rain in September has affected crops in some areas. Till the parameters are relaxed by the centre, these paddy stocks cannot be lifted,” said an official of the Punjab food and supplies department.
In Haryana, nearly 33 lakh tonnes of paddy has so far arrived in the various grain markets, officials said. This is higher than the paddy arrival of nearly 30.8 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.
Kurukshetra, Karnal and Fatehabad districts were leading in paddy arrivals.
Procurement of paddy in both states started Oct 1.