Being reprimanded by the Planning Commission of India last week for not encouraging farmers to deviate from wheat-paddy cultivation, Punjab government plans to approach the Commission for a comprehensive discussion on the issue.
The finance minister of Punjab, Manpreet Badal told Business Standard the Planning Commission had agreed to hold a separate meeting on Punjab agriculture and the date would be announced shortly.
He added the state voluntarily wanted to cut area under paddy and wheat as the farmers have been mining underground water to grow foodgrains. “The water table in the state has gone to the extent of 500 feet to 600 feet and at this level, it is difficult to recharge the underground water.
The state government proposed to grow maize to replace paddy as both crops have the same cycle and maize requires less water, he noted.
Elaborating on genetically modified (Bt ) maize that was reported in a section of media reports, Badal said, the The Genetic Engineering Council of India (GECI) has to clear any new Bt crop. Punjab is open to Bt maize but the authority is with GECI. So, the state government cannot take a decision on that.
Badal said the natural resources available with Punjab make it more conducive for growing fruits and vegetables. Dairy farming, according to him should be given prominence as the state has the country’s best livestock.
He said they plan to persuade the Union government to extend the minimum support price regime to other crops. The farmers’ decisions are driven by assured prices for crops. A monetary incentive attached to other crops would spontaneously divert farmers to crops other than wheat and paddy. This would also help in the optimum utilisation of our natural resources and help curtail over-production of certain agri-commodities.
