Amid farm protests in Punjab, Prahlad Joshi says will procure every grain

Amid protests in Punjab by farmers over “tardy” paddy procurement and lifting, Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi Sunday assured Punjab farmers that the Centre will procure each and every grain from them.

Joshi said, “We strongly stand with farmers of Punjab… Whatever commitments we have made, we will fulfil the same by November-end. Main fir se ek baar aashwast karta hun ki ham ek ek dana, ham apse khareedenge. (I want to assure you again, we will procure each and every grain from you).”

Paddy procurement in Punjab began on October 1 this year due to heavy rainfall in September, Joshi said, adding that despite the late start, it is on track to achieve the target to procure 185 lakh metric tonnes by November 2024. However, on lower Out Turn Ratio (OTR) from paddy to rice, he said, “There has also been a demand from the millers to reduce existing 67% OTR, citing that the paddy variety PR-126 has been giving 4% to 5% lesser OTR than usual. The PR-126 variety has been in Punjab since 2016, no such issue has been reported previously.”