Punjab Government Rolls Out Agriculture Diversification Mission
Author(s): City Air NewsChandigarh, May 5, 2015: Punjab Government has launched much needed agriculture diversification mission to conserve its depleting ground water and ensure remunerative price to the farmers for alternative crops....
cityairnews
May 5, 2015 09:30
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Chandigarh, May 5, 2015: Punjab Government has launched much needed agriculture diversification mission to conserve its depleting ground water and ensure remunerative price to the farmers for alternative crops.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Agriculture department said that out of 26.50 lakh hectare area currently under paddy, 12-lakh hectare to be shifted to alternative crops like maize, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, fruits and vegetables besides Agro Forestry in next five years.
He said that Punjab Government provided 80% subsidy on the agricultural infrastructure to the farmers for adopting drip irrigation, water tanks, solar water pumps and solar connections. He said that state-of-the-art Borlaug Institute for South Asia was being established to develop new varieties of Wheat, Cotton and Maize crop through research at Laddowal, Ludhiana. Amount of Rs. 500 crores has already reserved for this Institute. He said that Punjab government provided 80% subsidy on the agricultural infrastructure to the farmers for adopting drip irrigation, water tanks, solar water pumps and solar connections.
He said that state-of-the-art Borlaug Institute for south Asia (BISA) has been established to develop new varieties of Wheat and Maize crop through research Ludhiana. Water smart agricultural practices which saves 40-50% of water without any yield penalty in rice-wheat / maize- wheat systems. The institute has also developed technologies for introduction of legume in rice-wheat / cotton-wheat / maize-wheat systems. This not only provides additional one tonne of league but also enriches the soil through N2 fixation. at Ladhowal,
He said that 50% subsidy on seeds, insecticides, pesticides, machinery and other input materials to boost the cultivation of alternative crops. Punjab Government has enhanced the budget for PAU to Rs. 310 crore for the year 2014-15 from 300crore of 2013-14 to carry out extensive research and development.
He said that Punjab has won “Krishi Karman Award” (GoI’s award) for record production of food grains during 2010-11. He said that fives citrus estates at Abohar, Tahliwala-Jattan, Bhunga, Badal, Hoshiarpur were established at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to promote citrus fruits in their natural growing areas in the state. Litchi and Pear estate to come up at Pathankot and Amritsar respectively at a cost of Rs 3.80 crore each.
Date:
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
