Punjab offers Rs 17,500/hectare incentive for paddy-to-maize shift on 12,000 hectare
Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday said that six districts — Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala — will spearhead the pilot project, targeting 12,000 hectares for paddy-to-maize diversification. Khudian said the state govt has also appointed 200 kisan mitras (friends of the farmer) to promote the initiative.
The decision to incentivise maize cultivation is aligned with the need to promote water-efficient crops and enhance farmers' income in Punjab.
Maize, a nutritious and versatile crop, requires less water in comparison to paddy. Moreover, the crop's versatility in terms of its uses, from food to animal feed and starch content, offers a wider market and income potential for farmers, he said. "By diversifying our crops, we can improve soil health, reduce water consumption, and create a more resilient agricultural system.
This will not only benefit our farmers but also is a crucial step towards achieving our goal of sustainable agriculture in Punjab," said Khudian.
Basant Garg, administrative secretary (agriculture), said kharif maize had already been sown in 1,500 hectares. The state's heavy reliance on paddy cultivation, a water-intensive crop, has put immense strain on groundwater resources, leading to concerns about the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
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