Despite drought, Punjab likely to yield record paddy output.

(From The Times of India)

Byline: Surinder Awasthi

CHANDIGARH: Despite drought-like conditions and a marginal decrease in the area under paddy this Kharif season, Punjab is likely to yield a record paddy output. This is evident from mandi arrivals, which crossed the one million metric tonnes mark last week.

The total mandi arrival has been 107.37 lakh MT till October 27 while arrivals last year for the corresponding period stood at 103.84 lakh MTs. Procurement had started on September 21 last year while the government agencies entered the mandis only on October 1 this time.

Yet, the mandi arrivals have been more this year, suggesting that …