Farmers block road over non-procurement of wheat

Enraged over non-procurement of their wheat crop, farmers today blocked Delhi-Ludhiana national highway to protest against state administration for allegedly not ensuring smooth purchase of the crop.
Farmers claimed that their crop was not being purchased on the pretext of high moisture content in the crop.
Wheat crop has been lying for past several days in grain markets for sale but purchasing agencies were not buying crop, said Darshan Singh Kajim who was leading the farmers' protest.
The blockade was lifted after the district administration assured them that their crop would be taken soon.
Punjab has been eyeing wheat procurement of 115 lakh tonne in the current marketing season.

Because of untimely rains last month and prolonged winter, harvesting of wheat was delayed by more than 10 days as crop remained unripe.

Though wheat crop has started arriving in Punjab, sale has not picked up pace while FCI authorities said peak arrivals would start after April 25.
Wheat procurement season starts from April 1 in Punjab.
Punjab government had deputed eight senior bureaucrats to ensure smooth wheat procurement during Rabi (crop) Marketing season this month.