CM Mann's Crop Diversification Drive Yields Results as Maize Cultivation Expands Across Punjab

Punjab Govt’s Incentive Scheme Boosts Maize Farming, Ensures Sustainable Agriculture
Chandigarh: Punjab’s commitment to agricultural diversification under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has started showing remarkable results. The state has recorded a 16.27% increase in the area under Kharif maize cultivation, reaching the milestone of one lakh hectares this season, compared to 86,000 hectares in 2024.

Sharing the achievement after chairing a high-level meeting, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that this rise reflects farmers’ growing confidence in the state government’s policies to reduce paddy dependency and conserve groundwater.

The Agriculture Minister informed that as part of this mission, the Punjab Government launched an ambitious pilot project to encourage crop diversification by shifting 12,000 hectares of land from paddy to maize cultivation in six districts—Bathinda, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot. To motivate farmers, the state extended an incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare, while 185 Kisan Mitras were appointed to provide on-ground guidance and technical support to cultivators.

To ensure farmers face no hurdles in selling their produce, S. Khudian has directed the formation of district-level committees comprising officials from the Agriculture Department, Punjab Mandi Board, and Markfed for hassle-free procurement of maize. He also appealed to cultivators to bring dry maize with a moisture content below 14% to mandis for smooth transactions and better prices.

Dr. Basant Garg, Administrative Secretary, Agriculture, stressed that maintaining the correct moisture levels is critical for quality procurement. He instructed field officers to actively engage with farmers to spread awareness. Senior officials including Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Ramvir, MD Markfed Kumar Amit, and Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh also participated in the review meeting.

Minister Khudian said this milestone proves that the Punjab Government’s vision of sustainable farming and crop diversification is gaining momentum. “Our farmers are the backbone of Punjab, and every step we take is to ensure their prosperity while safeguarding natural resources for future generations,” he added.

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