Wheat left to rot in Punjab, Haryana after bumper harvest

Millions of tonnes of food grain are being stored in the open across the northern states of Punjab and Haryana, known as the "granaries of India", following a bumper wheat crop this season, due to lack of warehouse space.

The result: Vast quantities of grain, procured by state agencies for the Central pool, lie rotting.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh admitted more than 100 lakh tonnes of wheat is currently stored in the open, risking decay.

A visit to a large number of markets like Punjab's Khanna, Ludhiana and Jalandhar and Haryana's Ambala, Yamunanagar, Jind and Rohtak revealed that procured food grain are lying in the open under tarpaulins.

Punjab and Haryana contribute over 70 per cent of the total food grain (wheat and paddy) respectively to the national kitty.

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Punjab reaps biggest wheat crop in 20 years

Punjab has harvested a 20-year record bumper wheat crop this season with its production of 129.93 lakh tonnes, an official said on Friday.

During the current wheat procurement season, which started on April 1, the total wheat arrival and procurement has been the highest in the last 20 years, said a Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Department spokesperson said here.

A total of 129.93 lakh tonnes of wheat, which includes the 128.38 lakh tonne procurement by state agencies and the remaining by private traders, have been procured in the state.

More than Rs 20,013 crore has been released by the state procuring agencies till Thursday, the official said.

Wheat, which is the main rabi crop, is sown from late October to December, while its harvesting start.

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