Ludhiana, Oct. 25 -- The paddy procurement in Ludhiana district is struggling to pick up pace this season, having achieved only 27% of the target so far. Officials say the slow pace is the result of unseasonal rains during the critical harvesting period, which lead to severe yield loss and widespread diseases in paddy crops reaching the mandis.

According to official data, state procurement agencies in Ludhiana have procured just 4.5 lakh metric tonnes (MT) against this year's target of 16.56 lakh MT. Of the total paddy that arrived in the mandis, 4,95,521 MT have been procured, leaving 41,114 MT yet to be purchased. As per officials, the paddy procurement across Punjab will continue until November 30, 2025.

Voicing their concerns, farme...