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Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
High court reserves order on Punjab's ban on hybrid paddy seeds
Bathinda: With less than two weeks left to transplanting paddy in Punjab, a bench of the Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday reserved its order over a petition challenging a ban on hybrid seeds of paddy. The arguments had been closed, but the court did not fix a date for pronouncing the order. The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) challenged Punjab govt's decision to ban hybrid paddy seeds in 2019. This decision was later amended, but the Punjab agriculture department again banned the cultivation of Pusa-44 and hybrid varieties on April 7 this year, aiming to safeguard groundwater from depletion and tackle pollution. Another petition was filed in the court over the matter recently, and it was clubbed with the 2019 petition. Rice millers were against the cultivation of hybrid varieties, claiming they produced more broken rice. Certain farmers and FSII were of the view that hybrid varieties use less water and produce more paddy. During the last hearing on May 13, Punjab Rice Millers' Association president Tarsem Saini was impleaded as a respondent in the petition. FSII chairman Ajai Rana said as the court had reserved its verdict on the Punjab govt's decision to ban hybrid rice, the seed industry was hopeful of a balanced outcome that recognised the role of science and innovation in agriculture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 나이들어 노안+백내장 절대 방치 하지 마세요! 부산백내장노안 전문안과 더 알아보기 Undo "Hybrid rice is a proven solution to meet the dual challenge of increasing productivity and conserving natural resources. It offers 5–6 quintals more yield per acre, short-duration varieties mature faster, and supports direct seeding of rice method, which reduces water use by 30% and lowers emissions. These hybrids are also bred for better tolerance to abiotic stress and resistance to major pests, helping farmers manage risks more effectively," he said. All hybrids in the market have undergone rigorous three-year trials under ICAR's All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project and comply with national standards, including the 67% out-turn ratio mandated by FCI, he added. Saini said the quality of rice from hybrid varieties was below the standard, with the broken ratio being much higher. He said they wanted hybrid varieties of rice to be milled under the supervision of a state-level monitoring committee. The federation also approached the authorities in Punjab and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, urging them to reconsider their decision to ban the cultivation of hybrid rice in the state. Paddy, including basmati, is transplanted on nearly 32 lakh hectares in Punjab, and there are varied figures for hybrid varieties, with Punjab Agriculture University pegging hybrid varieties at only 5-6% of the total area under paddy. Millers claimed they were not getting the required 67% head rice from hybrid varieties, as more broken rice was produced from these varieties. Out of 67kg rice to be delivered to FCI after custom milling, 25% broken is allowed, but in these varieties, it was turning out at more than 35%. After milling (de-husking and polishing, turning brown rice into white rice), there was also the issue of chalkiness due to incomplete starch and protein accumulation. The federation stated that on an average, hybrid rice delivered 15%-20% higher yield over other varieties, translating to Rs 8,000 - 10,000/acre incremental income opportunity for Punjab rice farmers. Due to the shorter crop cycle of 120-125 days (seed to grain), hybrid rice saves 20-25% groundwater and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab hybrid rice ban to cost farmers up to ₹10k per acre: FSII
The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) on Tuesday sought Centre's intervention in the Punjab government's ban on hybrid paddy seeds, warning of significant income losses for farmers as the kharif sowing season approaches. FSII chairman Ajai Rana said the April 7 ban could reduce farmers income by ₹8,000-10,000 per acre. The Punjab government prohibited hybrid rice cultivation citing groundwater depletion concerns and alleged poor milling recovery. However, FSII disputes these claims, stating hybrid varieties offer higher yields, conserve water and reduce stubble burning. 'FSII has filed side-by-side milling results from Punjab Agriculture University, ICAR multi-location trials and the IRRI Grain Quality Lab: hybrids posted 70–72.5 per cent total milling recovery and more than 60 per cent head-rice, comfortably above FCI norms,' Rana said. The industry body has approached both Punjab authorities and the Union agriculture ministry while also filing a petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court. Justice Kuldeep Tiwari has asked the state government to justify the legal basis for the ban. Rana argued that under the Seed Act, 1966, and provisions of Seed Control Order, 1983, states cannot prohibit centrally approved seeds. 'State governments can regulate quality but cannot prohibit the sale of centrally approved seeds,' he said. The ban has created uncertainty for farmers who rely on hybrid rice varieties, particularly in the Malwa region where saline soils benefit from these adaptable seeds. Seed dealers who have already invested in hybrid rice purchases also face significant financial losses.
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Punjab's ban on hybrid paddy seeds draws flak from seed industry
The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has sought the Central government's intervention to lift the ban imposed on the use of hybrid paddy seeds by the Punjab government for the upcoming Kharif sowing season, claiming that the move could dent farmers' income by as much as ₹8000- ₹10,000 per acre. 'Hybrid rice consistently delivers five to six quintals higher productivity per acre, with better water efficiency. By blocking these seeds, the state is effectively writing off roughly one-month income of a small farmer's earnings,' said Ajai Rana, Chairman of FSII and also that of CII North Region Agriculture Committee. 'The ban's timing is particularly concerning, as the Kharif 2025 sowing season approaches. Farmers and seed dealers are left in a state of uncertainty, potentially leading to significant economic losses,' Rana, also a noted seeds expert, said. FSII has also filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the state's decision. The hearing is scheduled for later this month. The Punjab government, in an order issued April 7, banned the cultivation of hybrid rice varieties for the upcoming paddy transplantation season. The state argued that some hybrid paddy varieties were banned on concerns over groundwater depletion and allegations of poor milling recovery. However, industry experts differ. They said that hybrid rice varieties are more water-efficient and milling recovery is at par with varieties approved by Punjab state. Rice farmers across states have reported higher yield benefits of hybrid rice and these higher income claims are based on years of scientific trials and farmers field data, said Rana. 'Hybrid rice varieties are scientifically validated and government-notified. They offer higher yields, conserve water, and reduce stubble burning,' said Rana. 'By banning these varieties, farmers are being denied the opportunity to increase their income and contribute to sustainable agriculture,' he said. FSII has filed side-by-side milling results from Punjab Agriculture University, ICAR multi-location trials and the IRRI Grain Quality Lab. Hybrids have posted 70-72.5 per cent total milling recovery and more than 60 per cent head-rice, comfortably above Food Corporation of India norms.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab hybrid rice ban to cost farmers up to Rs 10,000 per acre, says industry body FSII
The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) on Tuesday sought Centre's intervention in the Punjab government's ban on hybrid paddy seeds , warning of significant income losses for farmers as the kharif sowing season approaches. FSII Chairman Ajai Rana said the April 7 ban could reduce farmer incomes by Rs 8,000-10,000 per acre. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack The groundwork before India mounts a strike at Pakistan India considers closing airspace to Pakistani carriers amid rising tensions Cold Start: India's answer to Pakistan's nuclear threats "By blocking these seeds, the state is effectively writing off roughly one month income of a small farmer's earnings," Rana said in a statement. The Punjab government prohibited hybrid rice cultivation citing groundwater depletion concerns and alleged poor milling recovery. However, FSII disputes these claims, stating hybrid varieties offer higher yields, conserve water, and reduce stubble burning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More "FSII has filed side-by-side milling results from Punjab Agriculture University, ICAR multi-location trials and the IRRI Grain Quality Lab: hybrids posted 70-72.5 per cent total milling recovery and more than 60 per cent head-rice, comfortably above FCI norms," Rana said. The industry body has approached both Punjab authorities and the Union Agriculture Ministry while also filing a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Live Events Justice Kuldeep Tiwari has asked the state government to justify the legal basis for the ban. Rana argued that under the Seed Act, 1966, and provisions of Seed Control Order, 1983, states cannot prohibit centrally approved seeds. "State governments can regulate quality but cannot prohibit the sale of centrally approved seeds," he said. The ban has created uncertainty for farmers who rely on hybrid rice varieties, particularly in the Malwa region where saline soils benefit from these adaptable seeds. Seed dealers who have already invested in hybrid rice purchases also face significant financial losses.
