In Punjab, the procurement of the wheat crop has started. As of now, over 4 Lakh Meteric Ton (LMT) has already arrived in various mandis in the state out of which more than 3.20 LMT has been procured.
As the state is expecting a bumper 124 LMT crop this season, concerned authorities have directed all concerned to ensure foolproof arrangements in the mandis. However, last night rain with gusty winds in many parts of Punjab have created problem as the grains lying in mandis got wet.
Meanwhile, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has also buckled up to meet the demand and supply of power for the upcoming paddy sowing season starting from June 1st.
According to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) vice-chancellor SS Gosal, the entire season for the crop was ideal as winters were mild and there was no natural calamity such as rain or hailstorm, and at the maturing stage, the temperatures were ideal, below 35 degrees Celsius.
“The reports coming from different parts of the state suggest that the crop has grown in perfect conditions,” he added. According to the sources in the state agriculture department, the production is expected to cross beyond 60 quintals per hectare. The crop was cultivated over 34 lakh hectares (85 lakh acres). The agriculture department is in the process of conducting crop-cutting experiments to ascertain actual yield output, the results of which are expected to be encouraging.