Vegetable buyers are running in losses because of the dearth of buyers.
It's a race against time for farmers in Togan village on the outskirts of Punjab's Mohali. Instead of sowing in the fields, many have queued up outside banks and ATMs to exchange their old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes which are now defunct.
Farmers say despite the government's order that fuel stations must accept the old currency notes till November 24, they have been turned down.
Baljinder Singh, a wheat farmer said he will lose at least 1.5 quintal per acre of land because the sowing of seeds could not be completed by November 15. The cash crunch has hit many farmers like him with small landholding. At least 40 per cent of the targeted 35 lakh hectares under wheat crop is yet to be sown.
"We have to pay the labourers and buy diesel. Government says old notes will be accepted but if we go to petrol pumps, hospitals or to buy wheat seeds, no one is accepting it. Farmers are standing in queue instead of sowing in fields," said Baljinder.
Amid a frenzy to get cash, vegetable buyers are running in losses because of the dearth of buyers in the market who are still struggling to get their hands on the new currency. Vegetable prices have also taken a hit in many areas.
Dilbag Singh, a vegetable seller, said, "Cauliflower which used to sell for Rs 20 per kg has come down to Rs 5-7. The stock we used to sell in one day is now taking three days to clear."
Migrant labourers, who are not acquainted with online transactions, are also hassled. Many say they have not spoken to their families back home since the currency change took effect.
Pradeep Biswas, a labourer, who has not been paid since, said, "There is no balance in my cell phone. So I cannot call home in Bihar."
Adding to the difficulties, farmer unions claim that government payments for paddy crop are stuck since October 20 because of bureaucratic delays and this will hit their ability to pay back low interest-loans which get more expensive if not paid in time.
"Farmers will not be able to benefit from Kisan Credit Card because repayment will be delayed and he will have to pay 12 per cent interest due to cash crunch. 35 per cent of farmers have not got payment for paddy," Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Peshaura Singh told NDTV.