Farmers toil day and night in their fields, cultivating crops with the earnest hope of receiving fair compensation upon bringing their yield to the grain market. However, when the ripened crop suffers from unseasonal rain and experiences severe delays in lifting even after reaching the market, farmers' anxieties naturally escalate. A similar grim situation is currently unfolding across various grain markets in Ambala. Recent spells of rain have caused notable damage to the paddy stacked in the open mandis. Farmers now live in constant fear that another round of rain could completely destroy their hard-earned produce. Amidst a heavy influx of arrivals, cultivators at the Mohra grain market in Ambala Cantonment are facing severe distress.
Space Crunch and Lifting Delays
Jaspreet Singh, a farmer hailing from Shahpur village, shared that the prolonged delays in lifting paddy from the market have caused immense difficulties for the farming community. He pointed out that the wheat crop from the previous season is still lying untouched in a corner, as it has not been cleared or lifted yet. Consequently, cultivators are struggling to find adequate storage space to stack their newly harvested crops. Jaspreet noted that they had encountered similar hardships previously, and the recurrence of lifting delays has significantly amplified their worries. They fear that if it rains again, the paddy lying uncovered in the open yard will suffer extensive damage.
Drinking Water Woes and Basic Amenities
Resham Singh, a farmer from Dhanyoda village, raised serious concerns regarding the availability of drinking water within the market premises. He stated that heavy accumulation of filth and dirt around the water coolers makes it extremely difficult for farmers to access clean drinking water. He strongly demanded that regular cleaning be enforced around the water coolers installed in the mandi to ensure safe drinking water for everyone. Resham Singh added that last year's wheat stock is occupying the space underneath the sheds. He emphasized that timely clearance of the old stock would easily resolve the space crunch in the mandi and help protect the grain from sudden downpours.
Portal Glitches and Moisture Level Hurdles
Another farmer, Kulदीप सिंह (Kuldeep Singh), explained that cultivators continue to face multiple obstacles even after successfully transporting their produce to the market. Technical glitches associated with online portals frequently disrupt their work. Furthermore, issues regarding moisture content in the paddy add to their woes. Farmers put in extensive effort to dry their crops under the sun, but unexpected weather shifts or rain cause moisture levels to rise again. This adversely affects the entire crop-selling procedure, forcing farmers to undergo additional manual labor.
Administration Stance and Official Measures
Neeraj Bhardwaj, secretary of the Ambala grain market, stated that the lifting of crops is actively underway and vigorous efforts are being made to accelerate the process. He assured that the payments for farmers' crops would be credited directly to their bank accounts very shortly. Affordable meals are being provided to farmers at just 10 rupees through the Atal Kisan Canteen operating inside the mandi. According to the secretary, seven water coolers have been installed across the premises, and continuous steps are being taken to address all grievances raised by the farmers. Adequate lighting arrangements have also been made for nighttime operations. Furthermore, commission agents have been issued strict instructions to keep sufficient tarpaulins handy and thoroughly cover the grain whenever rain warnings are received.
