JAMMU Oct 21: Chairman of the JKPCC Kissan Congress, Bharat Priye, has urged Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Vikas Kundal, to enhance the paddy procurement target at Airwan Mandi in Kathua district from 3,000 quintals to 30,000 quintals and provide adequate compensation to farmers who suffered crop losses due to recent rains and hailstorms.
In a memorandum submitted to the Divisional Commissioner, Priye highlighted the difficulties faced by paddy growers of Airwan and adjoining areas due to inadequate procurement arrangements and the damage caused to agricultural crops by adverse weather conditions.He stated that the procurement target for Airwan Mandi, initially reportedly fixed at 5,000 quintals, had subsequently been reduced to 3,000 quintals. According to him, the available procurement capacity was reportedly exhausted within the first week of the mandi’s opening, leaving many farmers uncertain about selling their remaining produce through authorised government procurement channels.
Expressing concern over the situation, Priye pointed out that approximately 25 per cent of paddy harvesting had been completed, while nearly 75 per cent of the crop was yet to be harvested. He warned that unless the procurement target was enhanced immediately, farmers could be forced to sell their produce to private traders at prices below the applicable Minimum Support Price (MSP), causing further financial losses.He emphasised that farmers invest their hard-earned money, labour and time in cultivation and deserve a fair opportunity to sell their produce through the government’s procurement mechanism at the applicable MSP.
Referring to the previous procurement arrangements, Priye said farmers from Airwan had earlier transported their produce to nearby procurement centres, including Nagri Parole, where higher procurement capacity was reportedly available. He urged the authorities to reassess Airwan Mandi’s requirements in view of the area’s agricultural output and the number of farmers dependent on the facility.
Priye also raised the issue of agricultural losses caused by recent rains and hailstorms, stating that adverse weather conditions had added to the financial difficulties of farmers already struggling with procurement-related problems.He urged the administration to conduct a comprehensive assessment of crop damage in affected areas and ensure that eligible farmers receive adequate compensation under the applicable relief and insurance provisions. He stressed that field inspections and damage assessments should be completed promptly so that genuine beneficiaries do not face unnecessary delays in receiving assistance.He further called for special attention to farmers whose standing crops or harvested produce had been damaged, emphasising that timely relief was essential to help them recover their losses and meet the costs of the next agricultural cycle.
Seeking urgent intervention, Priye requested the Divisional Commissioner to take up the matter with the concerned Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and other procurement authorities to raise Airwan Mandi’s target to at least 30,000 quintals, subject to an assessment of actual production and farmers’ requirements.He also sought additional procurement arrangements, adequate facilities at nearby mandis, including Nagri Parole, and timely procurement of paddy to prevent distress sales.
Priye stressed that the administration must address both procurement difficulties and weather-related crop losses on priority, ensuring that farmers receive the benefits of the government’s support mechanisms.He expressed hope that the Divisional Commissioner would issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities for the immediate enhancement of procurement capacity, speedy assessment of crop damage and timely disbursement of compensation to eligible farmers in Airwan and adjoining areas of Kathua district.