There is important news for the farmers of Punjab. The state government has taken a big step to save water. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to look for alternative crops that require less water than paddy. Mann said that sowing of paddy crop over the years has led to several problems including depletion of underground water table and issues related to stubble burning.
The Chief Minister said that he has formed a committee under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, which will meet farmers in different villages and see which crop consumes less water and can give farmers more income instead of paddy. He said in a video message that the committee will submit the report to him.
Emphasis on increasing the area of cotton
The Chief Minister said that his government is taking steps to promote basmati, cotton, moong and pulses. Mann said that his government wants to increase the area under cotton crop.
33% subsidy on cotton seeds
The Chief Minister said that from April 1, canal water will be made available for irrigation of cotton crop. He said that 33% subsidy is being given on cotton seeds certified by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). He also said that PAU has started a research to bring out new insecticides to prevent the pest attack on cotton crop.
Reiterating his commitment to protect farmers from all natural calamities, the Chief Minister also announced that the state government is considering an insurance scheme to cover cotton crop loss.
The state governments have extended a helping hand to the farmers to compensate for the damage caused to the crops due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms. In this sequence, the Punjab government has made a big announcement to provide relief to the farmers of the state. The state government announced a moratorium on the repayment of loans taken from primary agricultural cooperative societies. This step will give a big relief to the farmers in this hour of crisis.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
