Increase per acre incentive under Crop Diversification Scheme for Punjab: Arora to Shivraj Chauhan

Ludhiana, September 12, 2024: MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora, in a communication to the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has drawn his attention to a pressing issue regarding the Crop Diversification Scheme designed to promote agricultural diversification in Punjab.

While commending the government for its forward-thinking approach in supporting crop diversification, Arora said this initiative is vital for enhancing the sustainability of the agricultural sector and ensuring long-term food security. As highlighted in recent discussions, the traditional paddy cultivation has led to severe groundwater depletion due to its high-water consumption. Transitioning to less water-intensive crops, such as pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals, is critical for conserving water resources and ensuring lucrative agricultural productivity.

Adding, Arora said, “However, the current incentive structure of Rs.17,500 per hectare has proven insufficient given the substantial costs associated with this transition”, adding that farmers face significant economic strain due to the expenses involved in adopting new cropping systems and adjusting their infrastructure. He added this has led to disappointing results in Haryana, where the scheme has struggled to meet its objectives due to low incentives.

To address these challenges, Arora proposed to be increasing the incentive to Rs.17,500 per acre. He said this adjustment would more accurately reflect the costs incurred by farmers during the crop diversification process and provide a substantial financial buffer. Additionally, experts suggest that this increase would result in negligible additional financial burden to the government, as similar savings could be realised in subsidies.

Arora also urged the government to complement this increase with a comprehensive support system that includes technical assistance, market linkages, and access to quality seeds. He said, “Such measures would create a robust framework to support farmers through this critical transition.”

Concluding, Arora hoped that raising the incentive to Rs.17,500 per acre would enhance the adoption of diversified cropping systems in Punjab and Haryana. This step would support water conservation efforts and promote the sustainable development of agriculture in these key regions.

Meanwhile, Arora said Punjab has played a significant role in the green revolution which helped the nation to become independent in food security. He said it has been observed that cultivation of paddy in Punjab leads to over-dependence on tubewell irrigation which resulted in depletion of groundwater. Moreover, paddy requires at least 20-25 irrigations compared to less than 4 to other crops, including pulses, oilseeds, and millet.