India: Punjab To Reap Record Paddy

The northern state of Punjab is all set to reap an all-time high bumper harvest of paddy crop, as procurement by six government agencies and traders have already crossed 24 lakh MT in the state spreading a cheer ahead of the festival season.

The Punjab Food Supply had set up 1,622 procurement centers across the state to ensure smooth paddy procurement.

The prospect of bumper Kharif crop in Punjab augurs well as the state, though having less than two per cent of the country's geographical area, contributes 60 per cent of paddy to the central food kitty.

Farmers of the state have been assured payment of paddy procured by the government agencies within 48 hours of lifting of paddy from the procurement centres.