Farmers criticize Punjab Agro for purchasing most kinnows from Badal farm

The agricultural processing division of the Punjab government, Punjab Agro, seems to heavily rely on five well-known farmers in Muktsar, Bathinda, and Fazilka districts for kinnow procurement. One of these farmers is Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), who owns kinnow orchards spanning 74 acres and supplied a significant portion of this year’s citrus fruit. However, farmers in Abohar, who cultivate kinnow on a large scale, expressed their dissatisfaction with Punjab Agro’s procurement methods through a protest. They claimed that there was discrimination in procurement rates, with Badal farms being offered a higher price compared to other farmers like Samrinder Singh Dhillon and Jagroop Singh. Apart from Badal, Punjab Agro also procured kinnow from Indermeet Singh Bains and Arshdeep Singh. Sukhmander Singh, the president of BKU Rajewal – Fazilka unit, pointed out that a majority of the kinnow was being procured from these five big farmers, leaving small farmers to struggle on their own. The protesters called for fair treatment and pricing for small farmers. Punjab Agro officials emphasized the importance of kinnow quality in procurement, grading the fruit into different categories. Jagnoor Singh Grewal, the additional managing director of Punjab Agro Industrial Corporation, stated that orchards were selected based on quality, and preference was given to small farmers. He also mentioned the expansion of kinnow processing in the coming years. Punjab Agro authorities claimed that private contractors, disguising as protestors, were pressuring them to buy lower-quality fruit.

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