Harvesting And Procurement Get Affected To Rains In And Around Khanna

Khanna, April 16, 2015: The harvesting came to a standstill and procurement of the wheat was affected in the Asia’s biggest Grain Market Khanna due to heavy rains in the area. A visit to the grain market reveal that number of heaps of wheat were lying in the market and the famers with the help of labourers were trying to cover the wheat heaps lying in the open.

Secretary Market Committee Khanna Ashwani Modgil, when contacted, said that all the arrangements are complete but the rain water had entered under some heaps of wheat at Khanna and Rahon grain markets.  He added four procurement agencies including FCI, Markfed, Punjab Agro had started purchase in the grain market Khanna while two purchasing agencies Punsup and Pungrain are yet to start purchase. He said that 36456 Quintals of wheat was purchased in the Khanna grain Market till today while the purchase of last year was 23700 Quintals last year. He confirmed that the purchase was stopped due to rain but said that all the wheat lying in the market was covered by tarpaulins and said that the purchase may start after a day or two if the weather improves. He also said that about 5000 quintals of wheat was still lying for purchase and will be purchased after the weather improves in a day or two.

A combine harvester Daljit Singh said that the harvesting has been hit and may commence in two or three days if the weather come clear.

Farmers’ union leader Kashmira Singh said that a loss is expected of fodder also along with wheat crop also. He said that the wheat crop may become discolour if the weather is not changed immediately.