Rain Wreaks Havoc in Punjab Mandis, Farmers’ Hard Work Left Soaked in the Open

21 April 2025, New Delhi: In Punjab, wheat harvesting is currently at its peak, and the arrival of produce in grain markets (mandis) is steadily rising. However, unseasonal weather has thrown a wrench into the season. Rain, hailstorms, and gusty winds have caused significant disruption across many regions of the state, leaving farmers worried about heavy losses. Even light showers are raising concerns of increased moisture content in the wheat, which could delay procurement by government agencies.

Wheat Lying in the Open, Farmers Scramble for Tarpaulins

On Friday afternoon, as dark clouds covered the sky, chaos unfolded in several mandis across Punjab. Farmers and commission agents rushed to cover their produce with tarpaulins, hoping to protect the harvested wheat lying in the open. In Barnala’s major grain mandi, large heaps of wheat were exposed, and the sudden downpour worsened the situation. Even some of the wheat that had already been purchased got wet.

Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from Karamgarh village, shared that he had just reached Barnala mandi with his harvest when the rain began. “Even though I unloaded my crop on a cemented platform, the rain soaked it slightly, which will now increase the moisture content and delay the sale,” he said.

Farmers Hope for Relaxation in Moisture Norms

Gurmeet Singh added, “Farmers like us are constantly battling both nature and poor infrastructure. The lack of proper arrangements to protect our crop in the mandis results in direct financial losses—not just for us, but for the system as a whole.”

Another farmer, Baldev Singh, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We hope the authorities will offer some relief by relaxing the moisture content norms slightly and allow procurement of wheat that’s just over the permissible limit. Otherwise, a good harvest will go to waste.”

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