Paddy Cultivation Challenges in Punjab
Punjab, a vital agricultural state in India, faces a persistent challenge with paddy cultivation. Despite government efforts to diversify crops, paddy remains dominant. In the kharif season, over 92% of the cultivated area is dedicated to paddy. This trend raises concerns about sustainability and environmental impact.
Current Agricultural Landscape
Punjab’s kharif season spans from June to October. Approximately 35-36 lakh hectares are cultivated during this period. Last year, 32.44 lakh hectares were under paddy cultivation. Other crops include cotton, maize, and pulses. However, paddy continues to overshadow these alternatives, indicating a strong preference for this water-intensive crop.
Environmental Impact
Paddy farming leads to environmental challenges. Continuous cultivation depletes soil nutrients, increasing reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Furthermore, paddy is a major consumer of water, exacerbating the decline of Punjab’s groundwater table, which drops by about 0.5 metres annually.
Attempts at Crop Diversification
The Punjab government has initiated various schemes to reduce paddy dependency. A pilot project aims to divert 12,000 hectares to maize and increase cotton cultivation. However, even with these efforts, paddy’s area is expected to remain around 91% of the kharif acreage. Previous diversification attempts, such as the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, have faced challenges, including increased air pollution from stubble burning.
Reasons for Paddy’s Dominance
Several factors contribute to paddy’s continued supremacy in Punjab. Firstly, diversification plans lack ambition and scale. Secondly, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system favours paddy, making it more appealing than less supported crops like maize or pulses. Thirdly, historical government policies have incentivised paddy cultivation through subsidies and free electricity for irrigation. Farmers, seeking stability, are reluctant to shift to new crops without guaranteed returns.
Need for Comprehensive Change
To effectively break the cycle of paddy dominance, Punjab requires comprehensive changes in agricultural policy. This includes enhancing market support for alternative crops, ensuring MSP for these crops, and improving farm-level economics. Experts suggest that without incentives and institutional backing, farmers will continue to prioritise paddy over diversification.
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