Addressing the Paradox of Plenty: Supply Chain Bottlenecks in Punjab and Haryana’s Paddy Procurement

The current agricultural season in Punjab and Haryana has witnessed a significant 'problem of plenty,' where record-breaking paddy production has overwhelmed existing procurement systems. While high yields are generally a cause for celebration, the sudden influx of produce into mandis (market yards) has exposed deep-seated structural flaws in India's post-harvest management. The crisis is multifaceted, stemming from bottlenecks in storage capacity, lack of efficient transportation networks, and delays in the procurement process by government agencies. The distress among farmers arises from the inability of the market to absorb the surge. As storage silos reach maximum capacity and transportation logistics fail to keep pace with harvest speeds, farmers are forced to hold onto their produce for extended periods in open yards, leaving them vulnerable to weather-related spoilage and price fluctuations. This situation serves as a stark reminder that increasing production alone is insufficient; without a robust value chain that integrates modern warehousing, seamless transit, and digitized procurement portals, farmers continue to bear the brunt of systemic inefficiencies.