March 25th,2020

Topic:- Farmers challenges amidst Coronavirus situation.

Punjab in a spot over wheat procurement.
At least 135 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrain is expected to arrive in 1,800 mandis of Punjab, beginning next fortnight. Its procurement is going to be one of the biggest challenges faced by the state amid Covid scare.

With lakhs of people associated with the process of harvesting the wheat crop, the government stares at a nightmarish situation. It would be impossible to ask the farmers not to harvest wheat or bring it to mandis.
Admitting to the problem, Food and Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu says they are waiting for directions from the Centre. “We will try and persuade the Union Government to delay the procurement. The Centre is expected to make an announcement within two or three days. Agriculture officials, too, have been asked to appeal to the farmers to hold on to their wheat stock after harvesting and do not bring it to the mandis,”

(Source:- The Tribune)