FCI Proposes Wheat Quality Norm Relaxation for Punjab Farmers Amid Procurement Delays
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has formally recommended relaxing key wheat quality parameters for the Rabi Marketing Season 2026–27 in Punjab and Chandigarh. This proposal follows a detailed analysis of wheat samples collected from local mandis, which revealed significant deterioration due to unseasonal rains during the harvesting period. The FCI suggests allowing up to 20% shrivelled and broken grains, 80% lustre loss, and 6% damaged grains without value cuts. The recommendation aims to address the severe backlog in procurement operations, where strict adherence to existing norms has caused mandis to overflow with unsold grain. Farmers have faced prolonged waiting periods, increasing the risk of further crop damage. The proposal, initiated after requests from the Punjab government and grain market associations, is currently awaiting final approval from the Centre’s Department of Food and Public Distribution. FCI officials emphasize that immediate authorization is crucial to facilitate smooth procurement and prevent significant portions of the crop from remaining unprocured during this peak season.
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FCI Proposes Wheat Quality Norm Relaxation for Punjab Farmers Amid Procurement Delays
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has formally recommended relaxing key wheat quality parameters for the Rabi Marketing Season 2026–27 in Punjab and Chandigarh. This proposal follows a detailed analysis of wheat samples collected from local mandis, which revealed significant deterioration due to unseasonal rains during the harvesting period. The FCI suggests allowing up to 20% shrivelled and broken grains, 80% lustre loss, and 6% damaged grains without value cuts. The recommendation aims to address the severe backlog in procurement operations, where strict adherence to existing norms has caused mandis to overflow with unsold grain. Farmers have faced prolonged waiting periods, increasing the risk of further crop damage. The proposal, initiated after requests from the Punjab government and grain market associations, is currently awaiting final approval from the Centre’s Department of Food and Public Distribution. FCI officials emphasize that immediate authorization is crucial to facilitate smooth procurement and prevent significant portions of the crop from remaining unprocured during this peak season.
indianexpress