SAS Nagar (Mohali), October 9, 2026:- The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has made adequate arrangements for paddy procurement across all mandis in the state in view of the Kharif Marketing Season 2026–27, ensuring that farmers, commission agents and labourers do not face any difficulties during the procurement process. Special attention is being given to facilitating farmers in mandis and ensuring that the procurement process is completed smoothly. These views were expressed by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat after reviewing procurement operations today.
He said that, on the other hand, the failure of the Centre’s Modi government to move foodgrains stored in Punjab’s warehouses could create problems in storing the new crop. Large quantities of paddy arrive in mandis during the procurement season, and adequate space must be available for its handling and storage after procurement. If the foodgrains already stored in warehouses are not lifted, challenges related to storing the new crop could increase. He urged the Central Government to ensure that foodgrains stored in Punjab’s warehouses are lifted as soon as possible.
Barsat said that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring the smooth procurement of farmers’ crops across the state, and procurement operations in mandis are being reviewed continuously. He informed that by Thursday, 14.86 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in the state’s mandis, of which 13.90 lakh metric tonnes had been procured. Of this, 13.70 lakh metric tonnes had been procured by government agencies. Of the total procurement, PUNGRAIN purchased 5,61,824 metric tonnes, FCI 1,542 metric tonnes, MARKFED 3,94,764 metric tonnes, PUNSUP 2,49,075 metric tonnes and the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 1,63,013 metric tonnes. A total of 2.37 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been lifted. On the previous Thursday, 2,78,291 metric tonnes of paddy arrived in the mandis, while 2,76,234 metric tonnes were procured.
He said that 1,886 mandis had been notified in Punjab, with adequate arrangements for cleanliness, electricity, drinking water, bathrooms, shade and seating. No inconvenience would be allowed to farmers, commission agents, labourers or anyone else. In addition, 93 temporary procurement centres had been established in view of crop arrivals. He further informed that a control room had been set up at the Punjab Mandi Board headquarters. Farmers can contact the control room at telephone numbers 0172-5101649 and 0172-5101704 so that their problems can be resolved as quickly as possible.
