Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday met Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and sought his intervention for the denotification of certain hybrid paddy seeds to ensure smooth procurement and lifting operations in Punjab during the forthcoming kharif season, while seeking uninterrupted supply of fertilisers.Mann also pitched for Punjab’s representation in the Central Seed Committee under the proposed Seed Bill 2025 and sought greater support from the Centre for crop diversification and agricultural reforms in the state.“Punjab, being an agrarian state with a major contribution towards the national food pool, must have adequate representation in the Central Seed Committee,” said Mann, stressing that the existing role and powers of the State Level Seed Committee should remain unchanged to safeguard the interests of farmers and the agriculture sector in Punjab.Flagging concerns over hybrid paddy seeds, Mann said, “Some paddy hybrids have been found to exhibit a higher percentage of grain breakage during milling along with comparatively lower head rice recovery in comparison to recommended varieties. Such produce does not conform to the quality standards prescribed by the Food Corporation of India, causing serious inconvenience to farmers during procurement.”“In view of the forthcoming kharif 2026 season, necessary action must be taken on priority for the denotification of some of these hybrid paddy seeds in Punjab so that smooth procurement and lifting operations can be ensured in the larger interest of the farming community,” he said.Chouhan assured that a special committee would be constituted to examine the issue of hybrid paddy seeds and ensure smooth procurement operations in the state.Highlighting another key issue, Mann said around 33% of wheat seed was required to be replaced annually in order to sustain wheat yield levels, and there was a need for enhancing the seed replacement rate for improving agricultural productivity in Punjab.Seeking the Centre’s support, Mann requested Chouhan for approval and allocation of Wheat Seed Subsidy under the Annual Action Plan for the financial year 2026-27 under Krishionnati Yojana.Mann also solicited support and cooperation from the Centre for giving a major push to crop diversification in Punjab to gradually take farmers out of the wheat-paddy cycle. Pointing out the alarming groundwater situation, Mann said, “Out of the total 150 blocks in Punjab, groundwater levels in 117 blocks have already entered the dark zone.”He urged the Centre to introduce the MSP on alternative crops as well so that farmers could be encouraged to diversify crops while simultaneously securing better incomes and protecting the state’s water resources.Need for crop diversification (BOX)Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the need for crop diversification was discussed, and the Centre decided it would work with the state govt under various central schemes. CM Bhagwant Mann said crop diversification was necessary to save the state’s dipping groundwater table while ensuring farming remains lucrative.Meeting on hybrid paddy seeds (BOX)Bhagwant Mann said it was decided to set up a meeting with members from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to discuss the issue of hybrid paddy that has a high rate of broken rice. He added that teams of the state agriculture department would reach out to farmers to make them aware of the need for diversification.MSID:: 131068401 413 |
