As preparations begin for the 2025 Paddy Procurement Season, the Punjab government—under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann—has established a subcommittee comprising a Group of Ministers (GoM) to facilitate smooth and efficient procurement of paddy crops. The GoM held its first meeting on June 25 in Chandigarh. The subcommittee includes Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian as Chairperson, along with Food, Civil Supplies Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.

Speaking to the media, Barinder Kumar Goyal emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, Punjab is a predominantly agricultural state, and its economy relies heavily on farming. The formation of this subcommittee ensures that the procurement process is hassle-free for all stakeholders. Today’s meeting addressed all key aspects of the process.

Punjab plays a crucial role in maintaining India’s food security, consistently supplying a significant portion of the country’s rice. During the kharif season (June–October), paddy remains the primary crop, with Punjab contributing approximately 10–12% of India’s total rice production, ranking among the top three states along with West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

In a related effort to strengthen the agricultural infrastructure, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, along with MLA Kulwant Singh, laid the foundation stone for a new grain market in Saneta, Mohali, around five months ago. Speaking about the development, Khuddian highlighted the importance of proper post-harvest storage to prevent crop spoilage.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.