Mann Reviews Paddy Procurement at Rajpura Mandi; Says Special Trains to Ensure Timely Lifting of Foodgrains
RAJPURA, October 23, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday reviewed paddy procurement arrangements at Rajpura grain market and said the state government was committed to ensuring hassle-free procurement, timely payments and adequate storage space for farmers.
The Chief Minister said farmers were receiving payment for their produce within 24 hours, while special trains were being operated to facilitate the movement of foodgrains from Punjab and prevent any shortage of space in mandis.
During his interaction with farmers, arhtiyas, rice millers, transporters and other stakeholders, Mann said all major issues related to procurement had already been resolved through close coordination among the concerned agencies.
According to the Chief Minister, 62.07 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy had arrived in mandis across Punjab by Thursday, of which 60.50 LMT had already been procured. Payments amounting to ₹12,969.01 crore had been released to farmers.
“Wherever paddy has arrived, it has been procured without any delay. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that all stakeholders are happy and there are no problems of any kind,” Mann said, adding that the procurement process was progressing smoothly with coordination, mutual understanding and trust among all concerned.
Good Yield, Better Returns for Farmers
Mann said the paddy crop was particularly dry this year and yields had been encouraging. He highlighted the strong performance of Basmati cultivation in districts including Faridkot, Sangrur and Gurdaspur, saying farmers were receiving good prices and benefiting from higher production.
“The tireless, round-the-clock hard work of Punjab’s farmer brothers is bearing fruit today in the form of higher yields and better incomes. From the fields to the mandis, your own government stands shoulder to shoulder with you at every step to ensure that you receive the full value of your produce,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X accompanying a video of his visit.
Canal Water to Boost Soil Fertility, Conserve Groundwater
The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of expanding canal irrigation across Punjab, saying greater availability of canal water would help improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on groundwater.
“Canal water is like desi ghee for crops. It brings essential nutrients and silt that enrich the soil. I hope the fertility of Punjab’s land will improve further in the coming years,” Mann said.
He noted that despite relatively lower rainfall this year, groundwater consumption had declined because canal water was being made available in adequate quantities.
“It is a matter of immense pride that Punjab is conserving its precious groundwater resources,” he said.
Govt in Touch with FCI Over Storage Space
Addressing concerns over storage capacity, Mann said the state government was in constant touch with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other authorities to resolve any issues faced by rice mills.
“Payments are being made within 24 hours, and the funds under the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) have been received,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured that every effort was being made to ensure that lack of storage space did not disrupt procurement operations in the mandis.
He said special trains were also being operated for the movement of foodgrains from Punjab, which would help create space in mandis and facilitate the smooth continuation of procurement.
Diwali to Bring Cheer to Punjab’s Farm Sector
Mann expressed optimism that the strong paddy yield and smooth procurement process would make this Diwali particularly joyful for farmers and others associated with the agricultural economy.
“I hope this Diwali will be particularly joyful for Punjab’s farmers, commission agents, rice millers and transporters. Everyone is working in close coordination, and I am confident that the festival will bring happiness and prosperity to all,” he said.
Explaining his visit to Rajpura mandi, Mann said he frequently visited the market and had originally planned to travel to Patiala but decided to stop at Rajpura to personally review the procurement arrangements and ensure that farmers and other stakeholders faced no inconvenience.
He reiterated that the state government would continue to closely monitor procurement, lifting, payments and storage arrangements to ensure that farmers receive the full value of their produce without unnecessary delays.
