Mustard procurement sees poor start as Haryana farmers turn to private buyers

Rewari: Mustard procurement at minimum support price (MSP) failed to gain momentum on the very first day across Haryana, with farmers largely opting to sell their produce to private traders offering higher prices and immediate payments in green markets.At Rewari green market, the situation reflected a broader trend seen across districts, including Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani and Rohtak, where govt agencies remained largely absent from active procurement while private traders dominated mustard purchases.Scenes of congestion were witnessed at Rewari green market as long queues of tractor-trolleys and farmers lined up for gate passes. At Gate No 2, vehicles were seen waiting since early morning. Farmers alleged that procedural delays and extended waiting times compelled them to bypass the MSP procurement system and sell directly to private traders.By Saturday evening, around 650 gate passes had been issued at the Rewari green market and nearly 74,000 quintals of mustard had arrived. Private traders purchased mustard at rates ranging from Rs 5,300 to Rs 6,800 per quintal, while no procurement was recorded at MSP.Official data showed that 57,744 farmers had registered 1,77,789 acres under the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal. This season, over 60,000 quintals of mustard arrivals or procurement have already been recorded, compared to around 29,000 quintals during the same period last year. However, the bulk of this mustard has been sold through private channels rather than govt procurement agencies.At Kosli green market, farmers said higher prices and instant payments were the key reasons behind their preference for private traders. "When private traders are offering better rates and immediate payment, why should we sell at lower rates to govt agencies?" said farmer Preetam.Farmers also reported a significant decline in mustard yield this season. Rameshwar of Chamaria village said average yield dropped to 6–7 quintals per acre, a concern echoed by Narendra from Titoli village. Farmers Satbir, Jaibhagwan and Dhanraj from Sundana village said they cultivated mustard on around 12 acres, but found government procurement almost non-existent. "Except Kalanour green market, government procurement has not happened anywhere. Private traders are offering better prices," they said.In Charkhi Dadri green market, Market Committee Secretary Vijay Kumar said 37 farmers obtained gate passes and around 1,014 quintals of mustard arrived on Saturday. Prices ranged between Rs 5,900 and Rs 6,200 per quintal. He added that nearly 73,500 quintals of mustard has arrived so far, with procurement remaining largely in private hands.Across Bhiwani district green markets, arrivals stood at 7,234 quintals in Bhiwani with 491 gate passes, 2,315 quintals in Siwani with 88 passes, 3,965 quintals in Tosham with 119 passes, 4,037 quintals in Loharu with 64 passes, and 4,535 quintals in Bahal with 174 passes. No arrivals were recorded at Jui. Prices across these markets ranged between Rs 5,900 and Rs 6,800 per quintal, with private traders dominating purchases.In Rohtak green market, around 900 quintals of mustard arrived and nearly 50 gate passes were issued, with prices between Rs 5,300 and Rs 6,400 per quintal. At Kalanour green market, about 50 quintals arrived and only two gate passes were issued. With no private traders turning up there, farmers sold their produce to government agencies, making it the only market where MSP procurement was recorded.Market Committee Secretary Manish Kumar said all arrangements for mustard procurement had been made and agencies including HAFED and the Warehousing Corporation were assigned procurement duties.Rain Damages CropPraveen Yadav of Kishangarh village said he brought six quintals of mustard to the market but unseasonal rain washed away his entire produce. He appealed for compensation. Another farmer, Ratiram, said nearly 15 quintals of his mustard crop was damaged due to rain. "I had taken four acres of land on lease for Rs 20,000. Now I don't know how I will repay," he said.Sammesingh Yadav, district president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rewari), said that of around 5,000 quintals of mustard that had arrived earlier, nearly 600 quintals were damaged due to rain. He attributed the losses to lack of adequate sheds at green markets.