Paddy procurement has slowed across Udham Singh Nagar, leaving farmers waiting for weighing at markets in Sitarganj, Gadarpur and Kichha. Large quantities of grain remain in the open as token problems, software faults, a shortage of weighing points and exhausted purchase limits disrupt arrivals after a bumper harvest.

Farmers also faced damage from unseasonal rain before bringing their crop to market. Some say they have been waiting at the market yards for 20 days without their number being called. They are concerned about moisture in the paddy and possible short-weighing while the produce remains exposed.

Sitarganj: more than 20 thousand quintals await sale

The New Mandi Committee yard in Sitarganj has more than 20 thousand quintals of paddy waiting for sale. Market records show that raw commission agents have purchased about 6200 quintals from 155 farmers, while around 1000 quintals belonging to 25 farmers is waiting for weighing.

Food Department centres have purchased 8888 quintals from 112 farmers through 3 weighing points. Despite these purchases, more than 20 thousand quintals remains on the market platforms, according to the local procurement figures.

Gadarpur: token issuance affected by software problem

The 3 Regional Food Controller procurement centres in Gadarpur have purchased a combined 578.80 quintals. Centre in-charge Nikita Joshi reported 120 quintals, Jagdish Singh reported 320.40 quintals and Rashi Bisht reported 138.40 quintals.

Farmers alleged that a software problem in the market committee’s weighing system was preventing tokens from being issued. Secretary Asha Goswami said procurement was continuing according to the prescribed standards. Several quintals still remained to be weighed during the review.

Kichha farmers wait with crop at market

Farmers at the New Mandi in Kichha said they had been staying with their produce for 20 days. The 3 centres under the Divisional Food Controller had weighed 4,728 quintals since 6 October, according to Sub-Inspector of Marketing Kaushal Kumar.

Each of those centres has a limit of 3 thousand quintals. 5 Cooperative Federation centres had weighed 6,500 quintals, while 100 quintals was still waiting at the market. Santokh Singh of the Tarai Sikh Organisation called for faster weighing.

Procurement remains slow in Rudrapur and Bazpur

At the Regional Food Controller centres in Bagwara, Rudrapur, about 400 quintals had been weighed. Officials also identified low registration by millers as one factor behind the slow procurement, although the pace at government centres remained below expectations.

In Bazpur, weighing began at 4 centres, including Bannakhera, after gunny bags became available. Nodal officer Nitesh Harbola said labour had been increased at 3 centres because of the heavy inflow. Around 12 thousand quintals had been purchased at 16 centres.

Marketing Inspector Nalini Kant said 2800 quintals had been purchased at 3 Regional Food Controller centres. Congress district general secretary and farmer Hardev Singh Sandhu alleged that weighing was moving slowly at rural procurement centres and that the portal limit had been reached.

District administration orders faster action

District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadoria directed all procurement-centre in-charges to speed up weighing. He said leave had also been cancelled so that procurement would not be affected.

Bhadoria said farmers should not panic and that the crop of every farmer would be purchased at procurement centres. The immediate issue for farmers remains the wait for tokens, weighing capacity and clearance of paddy already lying in the yards.

Conclusion

Paddy procurement remains delayed across several Udham Singh Nagar markets, with the largest reported backlog in Sitarganj. Officials have ordered faster work and assured farmers that every farmer’s paddy will be purchased, while token, software and capacity-related problems continue to affect weighing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which markets are facing delays in paddy weighing?

Sitarganj, Gadarpur and Kichha are reported to have major delays. Slow procurement was also reported in Rudrapur and Bazpur.

Q. How much paddy was waiting in Sitarganj?

More than 20 thousand quintals was lying on the market platforms awaiting sale. Around 1000 quintals belonging to 25 farmers was specifically reported to be waiting for weighing.

Q. Why are farmers unable to get tokens in Gadarpur?

Farmers attributed the delay to a software problem in the market committee’s weighing system. The market committee secretary said procurement was continuing according to the prescribed standards.

Q. How long have some Kichha farmers been waiting?

Farmers at the New Mandi said they had been waiting with their crop for 20 days. Around 100 quintals was still awaiting weighing there.

Q. What has the district administration ordered?

District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadoria ordered all procurement-centre in-charges to increase the pace of weighing. He also said leave had been cancelled to prevent disruption to procurement.

Q. What assurance has been given to farmers?

The district magistrate said farmers should not panic and that every farmer’s paddy would be purchased at procurement centres.