Farmers sell paddy below cost in the absence of takers

A large number of farmers in Punjab have allegedly been forced to sell their paddy below the minimum support price (MSP), thanks to the delay by procurement agencies in lifting their produce.

They have alleged that their produce is not being bought on the pretext that its moisture content is higher than the prescribed limit. Shiv Charan - a farmer from village Phullewala, near Muktsar town - says there are five procurement agencies in Punjab, including Pungrain, Punsup, Markfed and Punjab Agro.