NEW DELHI: About ten thousand metric tons of mustard was procured by the Haryana government on Wednesday from about 4500 farmers on the first day of the procurement season while maintaining the social distancing norms.Twenty-five farmers were called in the morning and 25 in the afternoon by the state government at all the 163 centres for collecting the produce.After testing the new system of social distancing on the first day, the government will call 50 farmers at one time from tomorrow at all centres in the morning and afternoon slots.Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and additional chief secretary agriculture and farmer welfare Sanjeev Kaushal reassured the farmers that they would not face any difficulty in the mandis and each and every grain of their produce will be procured.Keeping in view the threat of COVID-19 and to facilitate the farmers, arthiyas and labourers, the state government said it has increased the number of mandis and made arrangements for masks, sanitizers and all the basic facilities to keep them safe during the sale of their produce in this time of crisis.The state government has been decided that 50 farmers will be called in the morning and 50 in the evening at each procurement centre to sell mustard so that there is no overcrowding, and those present can follow the directions given for prevention of coronavirus by maintaining social distancing.