As the wheat harvest and procurement season is about to begin in March, the Centre said it was hopeful of resolving the farmers’ protests before it. Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra told reporters here on Thursday that the Centre was willing to hold further talks with farmers on their demands. More than 50% of the wheat procurement by the Food Corporation of India is from Punjab and Haryana.
Mr. Chopra said the Centre would address the concerns of farmers. “The government had given an offer to the farmer leaders considering their concerns such as lowering of water table and soil quality. However, they have rejected the proposal,” he said. “As told by the Agriculture Minister, we are willing for further talks. We are happy to talk to them. Probably, we were not able to communicate the full intent. I think constant communication will help resolve the communication gap,” Mr. Chopra added.
