Experts to farmers: Punjab's draft agri policy gets universal thumbs up

Indian Express

a day ago

Even as the state government continues to delay the adoption of its Punjab Agriculture Policy-2023, experts across disciplines have hailed the draft as an excellent document with some limitations that can be removed at the time of implementation. Experts said that the 200-page document offers a comprehensive roadmap for reviving the state's ailing farm sector.
They praised the draft policy for its depth, innovation, and forward-thinking recommendations. They described it as a potential game-changer — if implemented with commitment and urgency.
From scientists to economists and farmer leaders, voices from across the agricultural spectrum have urged the government to act swiftly on the policy.
Gurdev Singh Khush, a renowned Indian-American plant geneticist and rice breeder who is known as the 'Father of Super Rice', in written communication to the committee members, said that he enjoyed the draft thoroughly.
'The chapter on the good old agriculture of the past brought back memories of my childhood. The section on Green Revolution captures how it transformed Indian agriculture. Making Punjab's farming healthier, profitable, and globally competitive should be a cherished goal. The concept of Natural Growing Areas is insightful. Marketing is rightly emphasised, and institutions like AMRII and IAMS are essential. The chapter on ecosystem and climate change is well-balanced. The alarming water and energy scenario calls for urgent implementation of the policy's recommendations. I found the document immensely informative — truly an Encyclopedia of Punjab Agriculture. It reflects months of dedicated work,' said Khush, who has won World Food Prize (1996), Japan Prize, Wolf Prize, and Golden Sickle Awards.
Prof Ranjit Singh Ghuman, a renowned agricultural economist and a member of high-powered committee established by the Supreme Court to address the grievances of farmers, said that despite three policy drafts on Agriculture over the past decade, Punjab still lacks an official agriculture policy.
The first draft of 58 pages was submitted in March 2013 but was never adopted. The second draft of 21 pages submitted in 2018 met with the same fate. An 11-member committee headed by Sukhpal Singh submitted a comprehensive draft on October 13, 2023.
'While building on earlier efforts, this version includes more detailed and innovative recommendations. It must be implemented,' Ghuman said, adding that the limitations should be addressed, and the policy must align with industrial strategy to tackle rising unemployment and declining agri-sector jobs, while factoring in processing, cooperatives, and market linkages.
BKU (Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan also hailed the draft policy and said that the Punjab government should implement it at the earliest.
Darshan Pal Singh, president of Krantikari Kisan Union, said that the majority of the recommendations in the 2023 Agricultural Policy are pro-Punjab and pro-farmer. 'It should be implemented to address the ongoing agrarian crisis in the state. Along with BKU (Dakaunda) and BKU (Ugrahan), we have demanded that the government adopt this policy. In my opinion, it is a much-needed step forward,' he said.