Chandigarh: The Punjab government has announced the commencement of the wheat procurement season from Wednesday, with extensive arrangements put in place to ensure a smooth process across the state.
Addressing a press conference, Lal Chand Kataruchakk said that preparations have been completed in advance to facilitate farmers, labourers, commission agents, and millers during the procurement period. He expressed confidence that the season would be productive for all stakeholders involved.
According to the minister, wheat has been cultivated across nearly 34.97 lakh hectares in Punjab this year. More than seven lakh farmers are expected to arrive at mandis to sell their produce.
To handle the anticipated influx, authorities have arranged around 1,800 procurement centres, along with nearly 200 additional temporary mandis to manage overflow and avoid congestion. The government has also assured that all purchases will be carried out at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), providing financial security to farmers.
Kataruchakk further stated that sufficient funds and infrastructure have been mobilised to support procurement operations. Necessary logistics, including storage, transportation, and timely payments, have been planned to ensure that farmers do not face inconvenience.
The minister also extended his wishes to all agencies associated with procurement, expressing hope that coordinated efforts would help maintain efficiency throughout the season.
With large-scale preparations in place, the state government aims to streamline procurement and ensure that farmers receive fair value for their harvest without delays.
