Gunny bag shortage in Punjab ahead of wheat procurement raises farmer concerns
26-Mar-2026 02:19 PM
Gunny bag shortage in Punjab ahead of wheat procurement raises farmer concerns
★ Punjab may face a shortage of around 50 million gunny bags ahead of the wheat procurement season, even as a record crop is expected, raising serious concerns for farmers.
★ The state requires about 260 million bags to procure nearly 13 million tonnes of wheat, but limited availability could disrupt smooth procurement operations.
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Potential impact on farmers
★ Delays in procurement at mandis
★ Heavy congestion during the first 15–20 days of arrivals
★ Financial pressure due to delayed sales
★ Risk of quality deterioration if produce is stored in the open
★ Although the Centre has already released Rs. 33,000 crore for procurement, gaps in planning and supply have created uncertainty on the ground.
★ If the shortage is not addressed in time, farmers may face delays, losses, and payment issues, potentially disrupting the procurement system. There are also concerns that farmers could be forced to sell wheat in the open market at lower prices due to lack of timely procurement support.