TO GIVE BOOST TO COTTON FARMING PUNJAB GOVT TO PROVIDE 33% SUBSIDY: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIYAN
TO GIVE BOOST TO COTTON FARMING PUNJAB GOVT TO PROVIDE 33% SUBSIDY: GURMEET SINGH KHUDIYAN
PUNJAB GOVT AIMS TO INCREASE COTTON FARMING AREA BY 1.25 LAKH HECTARE
Chandigarh, April 19:
In a significant move to promote crop diversification and increase the acreage under ‘white gold’ crop, the Punjab Government has decided to provide a 33% subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.
He said that Rs.20 crore has been allocated for the subsidy program, entirely funded by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, would reduce the financial burden on cotton growers, while simultaneously discouraging the cultivation of non-recommended hybrids to enable them to adopt high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrid seeds.
- Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Agriculture department has fixed a target to increase the cotton crop area to at least 1.25 lakh hectares this year. Cotton, a crucial kharif crop in the south-western districts of the state, presents a viable alternative to water-guzzling paddy crop, contributing to both agricultural diversification and economic growth.
Urging the state farmers to take advantage of this opportunity and adopt the recommended BT cotton hybrid seeds, the Agriculture Minister said, “CM Mann led Punjab Government is committed to supporting our farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This subsidy program is a crucial step towards achieving crop diversification, besides ensuring the prosperity of our cotton industry.”
Dr. Basant Garg, Administrative Secretary of the Agriculture Department, informed that the subsidy program is limited to a maximum of five acres or ten packets (each weighing 475gm) of cotton seeds per farmer. He appealed the farmers to obtain original bills for all BT cotton seed purchases, while directing the department officials to conduct regular monitoring and inspections to prevent the entry of spurious seeds from neighbouring states. He warned that any laxity in enforcing these regulations would result in strict action.
——–