Punjab Agri Dept Aims to Boost Basmati Crop Area by 20% to Reduce Water Consumption

The Punjab agriculture department has set an ambitious target to increase the area under basmati crop cultivation by more than 20% in the current sowing season. With the state government's active support, the department aims to encourage farmers to shift away from water-intensive paddy cultivation to more sustainable alternatives like basmati, cotton, and pulses.

In the upcoming sowing season, the agriculture department plans to bring six lakh hectares under basmati cultivation, a significant increase from 4.94 lakh hectares last year. This move comes as part of the government's efforts to reduce water consumption in agricultural practices and promote more environmentally friendly crops.

The state government is also considering fixing a support price for basmati between Rs 2,600 to Rs 2,800 per quintal, to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their efforts in growing the aromatic grain.

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To support farmers in adopting basmati cultivation, the agriculture department has enlisted the help of 'Kisan Mitra,' who will provide technical guidance and assistance throughout the cultivation process. The trained 'Kisan Mitra' will guide farmers from sowing to harvesting, ensuring they follow best practices and use only recommended pesticides from the Punjab Agricultural University to maintain the export quality of basmati grains.

Last year, with basmati paddy fetching more than Rs 3,500 per quintal, many growers experienced its potential as a profitable alternative to traditional paddy crops. This financial incentive is expected to encourage more farmers to switch to basmati paddy cultivation this season.

Basmati rice is mainly cultivated in districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, and others, with the anticipation that Fazilka and Muktsar districts will witness increased basmati cultivation this year.

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With basmati exports from India estimated to be over Rs 35,000 crore, Punjab's aromatic grain plays a crucial role in the country's trade. By increasing basmati cultivation, the state aims to maintain its prominent position in the international market.

Regarding the support price, the decision is yet to be finalized, but the state government may intervene through Markfed (Punjab State Co-op Supply and Marketing Federation) to procure the crop if the market rate falls below the fixed support price.

The Punjab government's efforts to encourage basmati cultivation and promote alternative crops align with its commitment to sustainable agriculture and water conservation. By diversifying crops and reducing the reliance on water-guzzling paddy, the state aims to create a more resilient and economically viable agricultural sector.

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