Punsup leads in paddy procurement in Punjab

Chandigarh, Oct 18 (UNI) Punjab's main agri purchase agency, Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation (Punsup) leads in the procurement of paddy in the state, having purchased 15.92 lakh tonnes out of the total 73.88 lakh tonnes so far, arrived in the 'mandis' till last evening.

Another government agency -- Pungrain -- is close behind Punsup, having purchased 15.36 lakh tonnes, according to official figures released today.

Markfed, a leading cooperative of the country had procured 13.07 lakh tonnes followed by Punjab State Warehousing Corporation with 7.22 lakh tonnes and Punjab Agro Industries Corporation with 8.19 lakh tonnes.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) had procured 1.95 lakh tonnes, while the private millers procured 12.13 lakh tonnes.

Despite a fall in the area under paddy cultivation, Punjab is expecting a bumper harvest and according to rought estimates the total production in the state is likely to touch 136.75 lakh tonnes.

Of the total production, about 130 lakh tonnes is expected to arrive in the grain markets.

UNI HS PV BS1424