Wheat procurement by Food Corporation of India (FCI) has dropped by 37% compared to what it was this time last year. Data available until 18 Apr shows nationwide total wheat procurement stood at 6M MT compared to 9.5M MT a year ago. In Panjab alone, only 13% of the expected arrival of wheat has reached grain markets so far. The sharp decrease is due to recent rains causing moisture in grain. Last week, rain, dust storms and hailstorms lashed parts of Panjab and Haryana. The change in weather was due to a western disturbance. The Haryana CM has promised assessment of loss, but the Panjab CM is busy campaigning for general elections and is not available. Meanwhile, despite FCI instructions to not do so, in Panjab private players are buying wheat and have procured up to 6% of total grain in the market so far. First time in 16 years, the central pool stock as on 1 Apr this year was at 7.5M MT, though it is still above the previous lowest at 5.8M MT in 2008. This week the Indian Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert - more rains are anticipated. However, some Indian media is misreporting that Panjab farmers are benefiting from higher yield and robust procurement. Meanwhile, in the Farmers Protest 2.0, the Rail Roko (stopping trains) has entered Day 7 with over 500 trains blocked until now. Trains are being canceled or diverted. The farmers continue to block BJP leaders and question them in their villages (SDW Vol. 2 Issue 16, Story 6).
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