Punjab’s procurement agencies had bought 20 lakh metric tonnes of paddy by 11 October 2026, out of 21 lakh metric tonnes that had arrived in the state’s grain markets, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said during a visit to the Bathinda grain market, according to a statement carried by Update Punjab. He said payments of Rs 2,511 crore had been made to farmers so far this season.

Government buying began on 1 October. Punjab has set a target of procuring 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the central pool in the 2026-27 season and is buying at Rs 2,461 per quintal, the minister has said.

Pace of buying

Procurement picked up quickly in the second week. On 7 October, Mr Kataruchak said 8.50 lakh metric tonnes had arrived and 7.50 lakh metric tonnes had been procured by government agencies, UNI reported. He also said the Reserve Bank of India had released a cash credit limit of Rs 42,786.68 crore for paddy procurement. On 3 October he said payments were being made directly into farmers’ bank accounts within 24 hours of purchase.

In his 11 October remarks the minister described the crop as a bumper one with very good grain quality and said he was confident the central pool target would be met. He again urged farmers to bring only thoroughly dried paddy to the mandis so that buying is not delayed.

Rain tests moisture norms

Unseasonal rain across Punjab on 11 October soaked harvested paddy in several grain markets, The Daily Guardian reported, citing waterlogging in Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Jagraon after the India Meteorological Department warned of isolated heavy rainfall. In Bathinda, 795 tonnes had arrived since buying began there on 5 October, of which 370 tonnes had been purchased and 30 tonnes lifted by that morning, the paper reported, citing The Tribune. The minister, visiting Bathinda and Muktsar, said the damage caused by rain would be managed; the extent of losses has not been assessed.

National picture

The Centre has fixed its Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27 paddy procurement estimate at 708.64 lakh tonnes, Business Today reported on 8 October. Citing Food Corporation of India data, it reported that the central pool held 479.92 lakh tonnes of wheat and 390.53 lakh tonnes of rice on 1 September, a total of 870.45 lakh tonnes against the 1 October stocking norm of 307.70 lakh tonnes, plus 307.51 lakh tonnes of unmilled paddy with FCI and state agencies.

Punjab has not published agency-wise purchases, statewide lifting figures or any rejections on moisture grounds.

TAD’s reading

  • Rice millers: Fast arrivals on top of central pool rice stocks far above the buffer norm suggest that milling and storage space, rather than procurement funds, will be the constraint this season.
  • Harvest machinery and services: Rain at peak harvest raises the value of drying capacity and well-timed combine work, as wet grain slows sales at the mandi.
  • Rabi input suppliers: Rs 2,511 crore paid in the first 11 days puts cash with growers ahead of wheat sowing, which could support early purchases of seed and fertiliser.
  • Policy: The gap between fast headline procurement and slow lifting at individual mandis is the figure to watch, because it decides how long rain-exposed grain stays in the open.