Even as paddy arrivals pick up across Punjab’s mandis, official data shows that procurement remains sluggish, with just 1.05 million tonnes of paddy procured till October 9 — less than 6 per cent of the 17–18 million tonnes the state expects to purchase this kharif season.

The paddy procurement for this season began on September 16 — about two weeks earlier than usual — and is expected to complete by October end or November first week.

According to the latest report issued by the Punjab Mandi Board look, a total of 11.23 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy has arrived in mandis so far, out of which 10.53 LMT has been procured. Of this, 10.49 LMT has been purchased by government agencies and only 3,183 tonnes by private traders.

On October 9 alone, the state witnessed arrivals of 1.55 LMT,

See Full Page