As per the central government’s order, all the state governments will start purchasing wheat from farmers from April 15. The state governments have been asked to give exemption from the Mandi Act to traders and farmers for three months so that they can sell their produce outside the market. As of now, 1600 mandis are operating across the country.
The central government has issued the order of purchase so that farmers do not face problems during the lockdown. Besides, the Central Government has also given instructions to the State Governments for the purchase of pulses and oilseeds. Narendra Singh Tomar, Agriculture Minister, said that the government is trying its best to minimize the problems caused by the lockdown. The minister said that the government is keenly monitoring the prices of onion. The government is doing its best to make the farmers’ onion reaching the market at the earliest.
According to the Minister, the State Governments used to send proposals to the Central Government to get permission for the purchase of pulses and oilseeds. But, keeping in view the lockdown situation, the agriculture ministry has issued the orders without waiting for the proposal of the states. State governments have been asked to purchase 25% oilseeds and pulses. The states have been asked to make more procurement centers to lessen the crowd and to ensure that all the norms of social distancing are followed.
It has been reported that 95-97% mustard crops have been harvested in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, UP. About 95% of the gram in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bundelkhand, and Andhra Pradesh has also been harvested. In Madhya Pradesh, 80-85% of wheat has been sown timely. But about 18% of the wheat sown has not been harvested in Haryana and Punjab. The state governments are working on to make sure that the harvesting is not harnessed due to labor shortage.
