Chandigarh, Sept. 29 -- With the Punjab government set to open 1,832 mandis for paddy procurement on October 1, the kharif season faces an immediate challenge. A massive backlog of 280 lakh tonnes of food grains is currently clogging state godowns, rice mills, and mandi yards, raising concerns about the smooth purchase and lifting of the new crop.

Storage shortages during last year's kharif procurement delayed crop lifting, and state food department officials say that the upcoming season will be even more challenging.

Driven by a bumper paddy crop, the Centre's ministry of food and public distribution has set a target for the procurement of 180 lakh tonnes from the state this season. With paddy cultivated across 32.7 lakh hectares, the ...