Agricultural progress in Punjab: Paddy cultivation to begin from June 1 in three zones | Check full details-OxBig News Network

Agriculture performed an important function within the financial system of Punjab, and it considerably contributes to the meals safety of India. Punjab is a significant agricultural producer, recognized for its excessive yields of ‘wheat’ and ‘rice’, and is sometimes called the ‘Bread Basket of India’. The agriculture and livestock sector contributes a considerable portion to Punjab’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). A big proportion of the state’s rural inhabitants depends on agriculture for his or her employment in addition to their livelihood.

The general agricultural efficiency of Punjab performed a key function in India’s capability to scale back its reliance on meals assist from different nations. There is a rising want for sustainable agricultural practices to make sure the long-term viability of farming in Punjab. 

Why is Punjab popularly referred to as India’s ‘Bread Basket’? 

Punjab is named India’s ‘Bread Basket’ due to its fertile soil, in depth irrigation and plentiful water. It is among the best agricultural areas on the earth. 

Zone-wise ‘paddy cultivation’ to start from June 2025 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann introduced that the zone-wise cultivation of the paddy crop will begin from June 1 (Sunday). “We have divided the state into three zones, and the cultivation of paddy will begin within the districts falling in three zones on June 1, June 5 and June 9,” mentioned CM Mann whereas addressing the gathering throughout ‘Sarkar Kisan Milni’.

“Punjab is the meals bowl of the nation, because it contributes 45 per cent of grains within the nationwide meals pool,” Mann added. However, he lamented that in 70 days of the paddy season, Punjab pumps out an enormous amount of water. By pumping out a lot water, we’ll deprive our coming generations of it, which is the essential ingredient of our existence,” he mentioned.

Mann mentioned 4,000 litres of water is required for producing one kg of paddy, and it’s posing a critical menace to the essential existence of our coming generations, as a consequence of which the state authorities is making concerted efforts to reserve it.

Paddy cultivation rises in Punjab to 32 lakh hectares

The cultivation of paddy within the state has elevated from 20 lakh hectares to 32 lakh hectares, as a consequence of which the necessity for water to irrigate the fields has elevated. Due to the strenuous efforts of the state authorities, the groundwater stage has began rising, and as per a report of the Union authorities, it has witnessed an upward enhancement of 1 metre. CM Mann mentioned the state authorities has determined to start out cultivation of paddy from June 1, for which the state has been divided into three zones.

Paddy cultivation will begin from June 1 in these districts:

1.            Faridkot

2.            Bathinda

3.            Fazilka

4.            Ferozepur

5.            Sri Muktsar Sahib 

Paddy cultivation to begin from June 5 in these districts:

1.            Gurdaspur

2.            Pathankot

3.            Amritsar

4.            Tarn Tarn

5.            Rupnagar

6.            SAS Nagar (Mohali)

7.            Sri Fatehgarh Sahib

8.            Hoshiarpur

Paddy cultivation to start from June 9 within the following districts:

1.            Ludhiana

2.            Moga

3.            Jalandhar

4.            Mansa

5.            Malerkotla

6.            Sangrur

7.            Patiala

8.            Barnala

9.            Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar

10.         Kapurthala 

The Chief Minister mentioned that it’ll assist in decreasing the rapid burden for the provision of energy in all of the districts of the state throughout the paddy season. He mentioned it would keep away from issues for farmers in promoting their paddy harvest as a consequence of excessive moisture content material in October. This zone-wise cultivation of the paddy crop might be ensured within the state, and obligatory planning and preparations are already being made by the Punjab authorities for this motive. Mann mentioned the state authorities is considering banning the cultivation of the water-guzzling Pussa 44 number of paddy.

Punjab govt to make sure minimal 8 hours of ‘energy provide’ to farmers 

He mentioned that the cultivation of this selection wants round 152 days, and it requires 64 lakh litres of water per acre and prices Rs 7,500 per acre to the federal government for electrical energy. Likewise, farmers need to bear expenditure value practically Rs 19,000 per acre for the cultivation of this selection, and it produces paddy straw 10 per cent greater than different varieties. CM Mann added that the state authorities will guarantee a minimal of eight hours of standard energy provide to farmers throughout the paddy season. He mentioned within the areas the place canal water provide is offered, the electrical energy might be equipped throughout the night time for eight hours.

Mann additional mentioned the earlier governments by no means bothered about making any effort to save lots of the groundwater, and the farmers on the tail ends, on this land of 5 rivers, by no means bought water. He additional mentioned that after assuming cost, his authorities revived 15,947 watercourses within the state, as a consequence of which water has reached the tail ends even within the remotest villages. At the time when he had assumed the cost of workplace, solely 21 per cent of canal water was getting used within the state for irrigation functions, and it has now reached 75 per cent.

Punjab produces 80 per cent of the entire ‘Basmati’ produced in India

He mentioned the state authorities is making strenuous efforts to supply satisfactory advertising and marketing and MSP on alternate crops like maize to carry farmers out of the wheat-paddy circle. Mann mentioned Punjab produces 80 per cent of the entire Basmati produced within the nation, including that this manufacturing might be additional enhanced within the coming days. He mentioned this may additional give a fillip to the basmati trade on one hand and complement the earnings of farmers, in addition to saving the valuable pure useful resource within the type of water.

Punjab govt to supply 33 computer subsidy on ‘BT cotton hybrid seeds’

The Punjab authorities mentioned it has determined to supply a 33 per cent subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds as a part of its transfer to advertise crop diversification within the state. The subsidy might be given on seeds that are really useful by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian mentioned a sum of Rs 20 crore has been allotted for the subsidy programme, and this transfer would cut back the monetary burden on cotton growers whereas concurrently discouraging the cultivation of non-recommended hybrids to allow them to undertake high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrid seeds.

The division has mounted a goal to extend the cotton crop space to not less than 1.25 lakh hectares this 12 months. Cotton, an important kharif crop within the south-western districts of the state, presents a viable different to the water-guzzling paddy crop, contributing to each agricultural diversification and financial progress. Urging farmers to benefit from this chance and go for the really useful Bt cotton hybrid seeds, Khuddian mentioned the state authorities is dedicated to supporting farmers and selling sustainable agricultural practices.

Subsidy is restricted to most of 5 acres 

This subsidy programme is an important step in the direction of attaining crop diversification, in addition to making certain the prosperity of our cotton trade. Dr Basant Garg, administrative secretary of the division, acknowledged that the subsidy programme is restricted to a most of 5 acres or ten packets (every weighing 475 gm) of cotton seeds per farmer. He appealed to farmers to acquire unique payments for all Bt cotton seed purchases whereas directing the division officers to conduct common monitoring and inspections to stop the entry of spurious seeds from neighbouring states.

Bumper wheat crop to assist obtain 124 lakh MT procurement goal in Punjab 

The Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, mentioned the state has witnessed a bumper wheat crop this season, which can assist in attaining the goal of 124 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) with ease for the central pool. Punjab Minister mentioned until now, 4.19 LMT of wheat has arrived in Punjab mandis, of which 3.22 LMT has been procured. Payments value Rs 151 crore have been made into the farmers’ accounts.

Wheat high quality of very excessive normal

The minister mentioned funds are being made inside 24 hours of the crop procurement. He identified that this time the wheat high quality has been of a really excessive normal. The state authorities is rising the storage capability by 31 LMT, and this time, the central businesses will straight carry the 15 LMT crop from mandis themselves within the subsequent few days.

The minister added the farmers won’t face any issue in mandis, and he’s personally reviewing the procurement preparations. Kataruchak additionally mentioned labourers enterprise loading work in mandis are additionally a part of the procurement course of. Hence, their labour charges have been elevated by 43 paise to Rs 2.64 per sack.

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