Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): Procurement of paddy for the current season began across Punjab on Tuesday, even as large tracts of farmland remain affected by recent floods.
Officials estimate that over three lakh hectares in districts including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Ferozepur witnessed extensive crop damage. However, better yields in other regions are expected to push overall market arrivals to nearly 175 lakh metric tonnes this season.
To support the exercise, the Reserve Bank of India has extended a cash credit limit of ₹15,000 crore to the state government, ensuring timely procurement and payment for farmers. Mandis across Punjab have been directed to streamline arrangements to handle the expected rush of produce.
Agriculture experts say this procurement season will be a crucial test for the state, as it balances the challenges posed by natural calamities with its role as the country’s leading contributor of rice to the central pool.
