Farmers getting low prices for moist paddy

Farmers are suffering financial loss due to high moisture content in their paddy, caused by delayed harvesting and onset of early winters. This was revealed by Mandi Board Chairman and president of Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Ajmer Singh Lakhowal on his visit to the city on Saturday.

"They are getting prices below MSP and on average the cut is Rs 100 per quintal. Farmers are bringing in paddy with 22 per cent or above of moisture (recommended moisture content is 17 per cent) and are selling their stock in a hurry," he said, adding the farmers are hurrying as they will soon be busy with wheat sowing season.

Lakhowal, however, blamed the farmers for the cut in prices: "The farmers are not ready to fill Form J where MSP Rs 1,250 per quintal is mentioned. After filling this form, the purchase committees cannot cut prices. But the fault is with the farmers, who don't do the paper work."

Lakhowal also added that BKU will carry out a dharna in Delhi on March 18 if the MSP of wheat is not announced well in time. "We have come to know that Union finance minister does not want to increase the MSP while other prices have increased."

Loss making co-op sugar mills

Reacting to co-operative sugar mills running into losses, Lakhowal said Punjab government is planning to sell off loss making sugar mills. He added that the private mills were churning a profit while the co-ops had become liabilities for the government.

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