Punjab News: In a significant move to promote crop diversification and conserve groundwater, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has announced an incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare for farmers transitioning from paddy to alternative crops. This initiative, aimed at addressing the depleting groundwater levels, is part of the revised Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
With a budget allocation of ₹289.87 crores for the fiscal year 2024-25, the revamped CDP will benefit farmers across the state. Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian disclosed the details in a press communiqué, emphasizing that this incentive will be available to farmers on a maximum of five hectares.
Direct Benefit Transfer System
The incentive amount will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The payments will be made in two equal installments. The first installment will be disbursed immediately after verification through the Digital Crop Survey and Krishi Mapper app, while the second installment will be transferred post-harvest.
Historical Context and Rationale
Minister Khudian highlighted Punjab’s pivotal role in the Green Revolution, which significantly contributed to India’s food security. However, the extensive cultivation of paddy in the region has led to an over-reliance on tubewell irrigation, resulting in severe groundwater depletion. The revised CDP aims to mitigate this issue by encouraging farmers to adopt less water-intensive crops.
- Implementation Across Punjab
The revised CDP will be implemented in all districts of Punjab, with a particular focus on critical and over-exploited blocks. Special Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Mr. KAP Sinha, informed that the Government of India has launched this revamped programme to promote crop diversification during the Kharif season of 2024.
Future Outlook
The Punjab government’s commitment to crop diversification is a strategic move to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and groundwater conservation. By providing financial incentives and leveraging technology for verification and monitoring, the initiative aims to create a more resilient agricultural sector in the state.
Farmers in Punjab are encouraged to take advantage of this programme to contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture and water resources in the region.
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