Slow buying by private companies; government procurement to start from Oct. 1

Ambala :
Paddy arrivals have started at the grain markets in Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment. But in the absence of purchase by the government, the stocks (PR variety) remained unsold.

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Kisan Union has sought direct payment in the farmers’ accounts.

As per the information available, 7,465 quintals of paddy (including 75 quintals of Pusa-1509 and the rest PR variety) have arrived at the City grain market. Around 8,500 quintals of PR variety have arrived at the Cantonment grain market till Wednesday.

While the MSP for Grade A is Rs 1,770, for the common grade, it is Rs 1,750 per quintal.

The stock of Pusa-1509 was purchased by private players and it managed to fetch Rs 2,450 a quintal, failing to touch the levels of Rs 2,900 a quintal of last year, Duni Chand, president of commission agents association, said. He expected the prices to improve in the coming days.

KK Malik, secretary, market committee, Ambala Cantonment, said, “Paddy arrivals have started but the government purchase will start from October 1. Farmers are being advised to bring the produce after cleaning and drying properly.”