PATNA, April 6 -- Bihar farmers are once again staring at uncertainty as wheat procurement by primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) and Vyapar Mandal outlets has slowed to a crawl, forcing many to offload their freshly harvested crop to middlemen at throwaway prices. Several godowns of procurement agencies across the state are still stacked with paddy bought during the previous marketing season, leaving little room for the new wheat arrivals. In Bhojpur district, for instance, farmers have been returning empty-handed from PACS centres, complaining that officials are citing lack of storage space. "Paddy is being sent to millers for rice, and it might take another fortnight to clear the stocks," a PACS functionary in Bikramganj said. According to the e-Sahakarita portal, only 377 farmers have managed to sell 1,243.088 metric tonnes of wheat so far. The state has set a modest target of procuring around 18,000 metric tonnes by mid-June at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs.2,585 per quintal - Rs.160 higher than last season's rate. Yet progress remains sluggish. Procurement was zero in 28 of 38 districts on Saturday and in 32 districts on Sunday. The situation has left many growers anxious. Two weeks ago, a hailstorm and thunderstorm destroyed standing wheat in several areas, with grains literally falling to the ground. Farmers fear that keeping the crop at home for long will damage its quality. Some have even begun storing sacks under the open sky outside PACS premises, as seen in several parts of the state. Cooperative department minister Pramod Kumar Chandravanshi acknowledged the bottleneck. "I have received reports about the slow pace due to lack of space in PACS and Vyapar Mandal godowns. They have been directed to expedite the dispatch of paddy to millers and obtain rice in return. I will personally review the progress next week. All necessary steps will be taken to ensure farmers get a fair price for their produce," he said. The delay has wider implications. Last year the state fell short of its wheat procurement target, managing just 1.82 lakh metric tonnes. This season's lower target reflects the ground reality, but the tardy start has already pushed many small and marginal farmers toward private traders. In a related development that could bring some relief to Bihar's rabi growers, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) is set to begin large-scale procurement of masoor dal (lentils) this month - the first time pulses will be bought directly at MSP in the state. Nafed plans to lift around 32,000 metric tonnes at the government-fixed price of Rs.7,000 per quintal. The exercise will be routed through PACS and Vyapar Mandals, the same network currently struggling with wheat. Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav called it "big happy news" for farmers. "For the first time, pulses will also be procured at MSP in Bihar. This will not only raise farmers' income but also give a strong push to pulse production," he said, crediting the Centre's swift approval following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit in February. State officials say the timing is ideal. Market rates for masoor currently hover between Rs.6,300 and Rs.6,400 per quintal, offering farmers a clear premium under the Price Support Scheme. Payments will be credited directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within three days of purchase, with the state government handling registration, purchase centres and storage. Nafed officials confirmed that buying will start once the food and civil supplies department announces the date, with a 60-day window to complete the operation. Bihar is expected to produce about 1.37 lakh metric tonnes of masoor this season, providing enough volume for the target, Cooperative minister Chandravanshi added that lentil procurement would begin this month, signalling the government's attempt to diversify beyond rice and wheat. For Bihar's small and marginal farmers - who dominate the lentil belt - the assured MSP buy could prove crucial, especially after the wheat procurement hiccups. Farmers have been advised to register in large numbers at their local PACS. "The more you register, the more you benefit," Yadav said, reiterating Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's commitment to timely support for the agricultural community. Whether the twin efforts - clearing space for wheat and rolling out a new pulse procurement drive - actually translate into better returns on the ground will be watched closely in the coming weeks....