Enforcing Punjab's hybrid paddy ban a challenge in saline water areas
Chandigarh: Enforcing Punjab govt's ban on hybrid paddy seeds will be a significant challenge in areas like Muktsar, Fazilka and Mansa, which are plagued by saline groundwater and waterlogging.
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Farmers in these regions, who previously adopted hybrid varieties after repeated cotton crop failures, are now sourcing seeds from Haryana to bypass the restrictions or reluctantly exploring basmati as an alternative.
Last year, rice millers in Punjab refused to buy hybrid paddy, citing issues with higher breakage and lower milling recovery, leading the Punjab govt to ban these hybrid varieties, along with the traditional PR-44 variety.
Adding to the confusion, it was alleged that hybrid varieties was mixed with PR-126 at some places.
Sukhwinder Singh of Rakhala village in Muktsar Sahib said his family had been cultivating hybrid seeds for over two decades but before imposing the ban, the state govt had not offered any alternative to farmers. "Our water quality is so poor that basmati cultivation is impossible for us. State govt must announce assured procurement for maize and moong.
With cotton crops failing for four consecutive years, we're now waiting for the courts to decide our fate before planning our next move," he said.
Balwinder Singh, a basmati farmer from Rana village in Fazilka said, "Farmers in areas with poor water quality, who previously grew cotton, are the ones who cultivated hybrid varieties. For them, even basmati isn't a viable option. Where water quality is suitable, basmati varieties like Pusa 1718, PB 1421, and 1401 are popular choices among farmers."
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Rajinder Singh, a farmer from Malaut, said farmers from areas with saline water were procuring hybrid seeds from Haryana. "They are ready to forego a cut of upto Rs 300 on their produce at the time of procurement. A bag of 3kg is available for Rs 1,400, a hike of Rs 200 over previous year. Hybrid seeds come with the advantage of the paddy crop maturing in 60 days," Rajinder added.
Karanjit Singh, chief agriculture officer, Muktsar, said since the paddy-sowing season was under way, the state agriculture department is keeping a check on the sale of hybrid seeds.
"There are some parts of the district where water is of inferior quality and farmers are being advised to switch to basmati or cotton. Besides, the availability of canal water has significantly increased in the area," he said.
Kamaldeep Singh, a rice miller, said basmati was always an option, even in areas where water quality was traditionally saline. "Farmers have been getting good prices for paddy in the open market.
Lately, farmers across the state have been drawn to growing hybrid varieties which was not a good trend," he said.
Farmers said hybrid paddy was essential in regions with saline groundwater, such as parts of Muktsar, Fazilka, Mansa and Bathinda, where traditional varieties struggle to grow.
Effective for the Kharif season 2025, the Punjab govt has imposed a blanket ban on the sale and sowing of paddy variety PR-44 and all hybrid seeds. This decision, based on Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recommendations, stems from concerns over hybrid seeds' high cost and their failure to meet Food Corporation of India (FCI) quality standards. PR-44 was also banned last year due to its long maturity period and high water consumption.
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