Overview
- Millers said they will not process hybrid paddy, arguing hybrid grain produces excessive breakage and makes it hard to meet the government’s 67% milled-rice norm.
- They cited broken-rice levels of about 43–45% from hybrids despite a 66% out-turn ratio, contending they must buy extra rice at their own cost to meet standards.
- Industry groups demanded the Centre release last season’s IIT-Kharagpur out-turn study on hybrids and frame compensation or policy based on the findings.
- Punjab expects around 190 lakh tonnes of paddy to arrive with cultivation at 32.49 lakh hectares, while FCI stocks are already near capacity, heightening storage pressure.
- Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa said the state advanced procurement to September 15 from October 1 and urged urgent intervention, as farmers have widely sown hybrids in Majha and Doaba for higher yields.