Karnal, Oct. 11 -- With paddy procurement in full swing, farmers across Haryana said they were facing space crunches at purchase centres due to slow lifting.

According to the e-kharid portal, out of estimated arrivals of 57 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), only 28% (16 LMT) has arrived at purchase centres across 22 districts as of 5 pm on Saturday. Three purchase agencies have auctioned 9.93 LMT of the produce, and 8.56 LMT has been purchased. However, transporters have only managed to lift 36% (3.10 LMT) of the paddy, adding to farmers' woes.

Harvesting is 45-50% complete in Haryana's rice bowl - Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Ambala and Yamunanagar - while late sowing has slowed progress in Fatehabad and Sirsa.

Amid slow clearing, the Ambala...