Haryana agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister Shyam Singh Rana has directed officials to resolve written complaints from farmers whose paddy output exceeds the prescribed average within 48 hours, while assuring that every grain of produce will be procured during the ongoing season.
Rana issued the directions during a visit to grain markets in Dabwali, Kalanwali, Rania and Sirsa, where he reviewed procurement arrangements with farmers, commission agents, market committee representatives and administrative officials. The minister asked farmers facing problems over excess yield to submit their details in writing to the secretary of the concerned market committee.
He directed officials to ensure that farmers with production above the prescribed average did not face difficulties in selling their additional paddy. The review also covered crop lifting after procurement, payments, availability of gunny bags, fertiliser supplies, mandi facilities and the maintenance of procurement records.
According to Rana, paddy with moisture content of up to 17% was being procured under the applicable norms. He said payments were being made after the issuance of the J-form, the procurement document used to record the transaction between the farmer and the purchasing agency.
The minister also instructed officials to speed up the lifting of procured grain and arrange additional space at mandis facing storage constraints. Commission agents in Sirsa, Kalanwali and Rania had submitted memorandums outlining their demands, which Rana said would be considered by the government.
The directions also covered basic infrastructure and operating conditions at the markets. Officials were told to maintain cleanliness, drinking water facilities and proper records. Rana directed them to address waterlogging complaints at B Block of the Dabwali mandi and in Rania, two issues that can disrupt vehicle movement, grain handling and the daily functioning of procurement yards during the season.
Fertiliser availability was another concern raised during the minister’s visit. Rana said supplies would be ensured according to land registered on the government portal. He also said the government was working to provide sufficient irrigation water, although the minister’s statement did not specify additional allocations or a timeline for that work.
The government is also seeking to encourage farmers to shift from paddy to cotton. Rana said farmers switching crops would receive an incentive of Rs 10,000 per acre. He added that the government was in discussions with agricultural universities to ensure the availability of quality cotton seeds.
The procurement review comes as mandis manage several linked operational requirements: receiving grain within moisture norms, arranging storage, lifting stocks after purchase, issuing documentation for payments and maintaining access and basic services for farmers and commission agents. Any delay in one part of this chain can affect the movement of produce through the market system.
Rana said officials had been directed to resolve farmers’ and commission agents’ grievances promptly during the procurement season. He was accompanied by administrative officials, market committee representatives and BJP functionaries during the visits.
