Sangrur, Sept. 20 -- As paddy procurement kicks off in Punjab, farmers in areas affected by dwarf virus in July are feeling the pinch.

Dwarf virus causes stunting, yellowing and withering of the crop, effectively bringing down the yield. While the virus was reported from across the state, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Pathankot, Patiala, and Sangrur were the most affected.

Farmers claim that despite their losses, they received no support from the agriculture department.

Rajveer Singh, a farmer from Laddi village of Sangrur, said that he had sown paddy over 60 acres, out of which 20 acres were hit by the dwarf virus. He added that neither had anyone from the agriculture department visited their field to assess the crop damage, nor were they b...