Punjab CM permits harvesting of horticulture crops by following precautionary measures

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered concerned departments to allow harvesting and marketing of horticulture produce by farmers with necessary restrictions relating to COVID-19 precautions. Chief Minister also stated that wheat harvesting in state will begin from mid-April depending on wear conditions, but assured smooth procurement and timely payment to farmers. 

" wheat harvesting that usually starts around February-March was delayed this year due to unfavorable wear conditions and may likely begin from April 12-15 in Punjab," Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh was quoted as saying in a statement. CM Amarinder Singh also reviewed arrangements me for harvesting potato and wheat crops in state. 

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ding furr about state government ensuring smooth procurement and release of timely payment to wheat farmers, Punjab CM said "Proper harvesting arrangements were being put in place for harvesting and stor of potato crop.'' A government spokesperson also informed that detailed guidelines for wheat harvesting were expected to be issued by March 31, 2020.

CM Amarinder also directed officials of Horticulture Department, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Punjab Mandi Board to work out modalities, in coordination with respective district officials, to allow farmers to harvest and transport ir horticulture produce for seamless marketing without putting m to any more hardship.

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ditional Chief Secretary releases visory

Following Chief Minister's direction, ditional Chief Secretary Development-cum-Financial Commissioner Horticulture also issued an visory asking all Deputy Commissioners to issue relevant permissions or relaxation to farm labour and farmers for harvesting and transporting horticulture produce, including vegetables and fruits to markets, and cold stor.

Director of Horticulture, Shailender Kaur has provided a comprehensive list of farmers who require labor for harvesting and need transportation of ir produce to markets as well as cold stores. Moreover, 69 FPOs comprising nearly 600 farmers have been reached out and have been assured of complete cooperation from government in this regard.

farmers who are into fruit production, especially in citrus belt of Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib & Bathinda districts, and potato growers in districts of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, Moga, Ludhiana, and Bathinda districts and vegetable growers in state were facing problems in harvesting and marketing due to orders of National Disaster Manment Authority on March 24, regarding measures to contain spre of COVID-19.

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(With inputs from ANI)