Rajpura (Patiala), June 5 — Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday urged Punjab’s farmers to move away from the wheat-paddy cycle and adopt crop diversification, calling it “the need of the hour” for conserving water and improving farm incomes.
“Farmers should grow crops that are profitable and consume less water. Crop diversification is no longer optional—it is essential,” Chouhan said during a visit to Kheri Gandiyan village under the Centre’s ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.’
Chouhan, joined by Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and senior agricultural scientists, also toured the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Rauni and interacted with local farmers using direct seeding of rice (DSR), mushroom farming, and silage production.
“I was impressed with the use of DSR. It saves groundwater, which is dangerously low in Punjab,” Chouhan said, urging other farmers to adopt the technique.
Chouhan referred to the Centre’s recent decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. “That water belongs to our farmers,” he said. “It’s unjustified to continue giving 80% of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab waters to Pakistan when Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan need it. We will now utilise that water here.”
During a dialogue with farmers, many raised concerns over alternate crops like maize and moong being procured below the minimum support price (MSP).
“When we switch to maize or moong, we’re forced to sell below MSP,” said Harwinder Singh Harpalpur. Another farmer, Swaran Singh from Kherpur Jattan, echoed similar sentiments.
In response, Chouhan assured, “The Union government will examine procurement issues. Farmers must not be penalized for shifting to better alternatives.”
He noted that while maize fetched below the ₹2,225 MSP during the 2024-25 season, the MSP has now been increased to ₹2,400 for 2025-26.
Farmers also flagged an acute shortage of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertilizer. “Only 39,000 MT has been received against a requirement of 90,000 MT,” said Punjab minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. Chouhan assured an increase in supply in the coming days.
Addressing another concern, Chouhan promised strict legal action against companies producing fake pesticides. “We will bring in a law to ensure harsh punishment against such malpractices,” he said.
Lauding Punjab’s farmers, Chouhan said the country achieved record production in wheat, paddy, maize, and soybean this year, with Punjab playing a central role. “I bow to the land of Punjab,” he said.
He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the goal is to increase yield, lower input costs, offer fair crop prices, and ensure compensation for losses.
On the issue of stubble burning, the Union minister urged scientists to develop paddy varieties with minimal residue. “Reducing stubble will reduce the need to burn it,” he said.
Chouhan concluded by saying that lasting solutions to farmers’ problems lie in dialogue, innovation, and policy support.
