Punjab Govt proposes incentives for delayed crop arrival

The Punjab Government has proposed to give each farmer an incentive of Rs100 per quintal of wheat if they bring their produce to mandis after May 1. In case some farmers bring their produce after May 31, an incentive of Rs200 per quintal will be offered.

 

The incentive is being offered to farmers in order to ensure that they stagger the market arrival of the crop. This will ensure that the principle of social distancing is maintained in mandis, which is becoming a big challenge in view of Covid spread in the state.

 

With the wheat procurement season just a few days ahead, the government has formally sent the proposal to Secretary, Union Ministry of Food, Consumer Affairs and Food Distribution. Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair, KAP Sinha told The Tribune they were awaiting a nod from the Centre before the announcement could be made.

 

“While farmers who get the wheat between April 15 and 30 will get the already announced MSP of Rs1,925 per quintal, those who bring their crop in the mandis in May will get Rs2,025 per quintal as MSP. If some farmers are willing to hold their crop till June and bring it for procurement between June 1 and 15, they will get Rs2,125 per quintal as the cost for their produce,” he said.

 

Noted agro-economist from Punjab Agricultural University MS Sidhu said Punjab was the biggest contributor of wheat to the national pool. “The state contributes 37 per cent of wheat in the national pool. With lakhs of farmers, labourers, government officials and commission agents involved in the process of procurement of the crop, the proposal, if approved by the Centre, could help tide over the looming crisis,” he added.