Punjab to procure Basmati at state assured price if rates fall: CM Bhagwant Mann

Mann said that buoyed by the demand for Basmati last year, the government was encouraging farmers to sow the premium rice this year too. But if the price is reduced considering the enhanced supply, MARKFED would buy the produce at an assured price.

The government is also setting up laboratories and research centres that will recommend how much pesticide is to be sprayed so that Basmati meets international standards, he said.

To ensure that more area could be brought under cotton, Mann said canal water will be made available on April 1 at the tail end so that farmers are able to irrigate their crop at the seedling stage.

“At the kisan milni, cotton farmers gave us an idea that if water is available by April 1 at the tail end then cotton plants will be stronger and will require less pesticide. I will make sure this happens,” he said.

He said this could not happen earlier because influential people would steal water. “We have told the deputy commissioners, police and vigilance that water theft would not be allowed. I assure you that you will get good amount of water at the tail end,” he said.

The chief minister said Punjab Agricultural University was preparing pesticides so that pests like white flies can be controlled.

Mann said that a number of crops were sown earlier in the state. But farmers switched over to paddy and as a result, 80 per cent of Punjab’s land is in the dark zone now. “Then we have problems at hand like stubble, pollution and health issues,” he added.

The chief minister said the government would encourage sowing of the PR-126 variety of paddy as PUSA 44 came with several problems. It uses more water and power and results in more stubble.

The government would encourage moong cultivation and give the minimum support price.