New Delhi, March 27: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan maintained that the Union Government remains deeply concerned regarding the environmental challenges facing Punjab. While answering questions regarding crop diversification, the Minister stated that Punjab’s farmers have played a historic role in eradicating hunger across India. He affirmed that the administration is providing financial backing to help the state transition toward millets and oilseeds, including a 2025-26 sanction of approximately ₹104 crore for diversification projects.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu noted the grave water crisis in the state, noting that the current agricultural cycle consumes more than 75 percent of cultivable land and excessive amounts of groundwater. Sandhu asserted that Punjab Agricultural University has been a pillar of Indian agriculture since the Green Revolution and should now host a specialized research centre for millets. He maintained that honoring Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji through this centre would align with the Guru’s historic promotion of nutritional grains like Kodra.
Addressing the issue of environmental impact, Minister Chouhan stated that it is incorrect to hold farmers responsible for air pollution levels. He affirmed that during his visit to Moga, he witnessed firsthand how local cultivators are successfully implementing new residue management methods. The Minister declared that the government is incentivizing the food processing industry with an ₹800 crore outlay, which already includes active projects in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Patiala to support the value chain for alternative crops.
The Minister further maintained that the International Year of Millets in 2023 has successfully increased global and domestic awareness. He affirmed that India’s millet cultivation area is expanding rapidly as more citizens adopt these nutritional grains. To support this growth, the government has already distributed 140 quintals of millet seeds in the current cycle. Chouhan stated that he is confident that the momentum of “Shree Anna” will continue to restore soil health and ensure a sustainable future for Punjab’s agricultural sector.
