Farmers bringing maize to the grain market in Tarn Taran have been facing severe hardship as procurement has remained suspended for the past three days due to a dispute between buyers and commission agents (aarhtiyas) over commission charges.
The standoff has left large quantities of maize lying unsold in the market yard, with farmers complaining that they are neither able to sell their produce nor receive remunerative prices.
Mandi Supervisor Amarinder Singh confirmed that maize arrivals had continued over the past four days but procurement had come to a standstill because of the ongoing disagreement between buyers and commission agents.
“Maize has been arriving in the mandi regularly, but purchases have not taken place for the last three days due to the dispute. We expect the matter to be resolved soon,” he said.
Farmers Dilbag Singh of Kang village and Dalbag Singh of Deo village said they had brought properly dried maize to the market in the hope of securing a fair price, but the procurement deadlock had left them stranded.
“We have incurred expenses in harvesting and drying the crop, but the produce is not being purchased. We are facing considerable difficulties,” the farmers said.
The controversy has also highlighted the wide gap between the Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the Centre and the rates being offered in the market. The MSP for maize has been fixed at Rs 2,410 per quintal, a rate endorsed by the Punjab Government. However, farmers alleged that not a single producer has received the MSP so far.
According to Amarinder Singh, maize has been purchased in the mandi this season at rates ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per quintal, significantly below the MSP.
Farmers accused both buyers and commission agents of prioritising their own interests while ignoring the plight of cultivators. They also criticised the authorities for failing to intervene effectively and resolve the impasse.
Responding to the allegations, the Mandi Supervisor said that a portion of the maize arriving at the market contained higher moisture levels than prescribed standards. He expressed hope that farmers bringing adequately dried maize in the coming days would receive better prices.
Meanwhile, farmers have urged the authorities concerned to resolve the dispute at the earliest and ensure procurement resumes without delay so that they can sell their produce at fair rates.
