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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Procurement peril: Punjab millers refuse to process hybrid paddy
1 2 Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court's decision to overturn the state's ban on Pusa-44 and other hybrid paddy varieties could create a new challenge for the upcoming paddy procurement, setting up a clash with the rice milling industry, which has declared it will not process hybrid paddy. While the ruling brings relief for farmers keen on sowing these varieties, it would put them in a difficult position if there is a repeat of last year's procurement scenario, where they faced difficulty in getting their produce procured. Last year, Punjab's rice millers advocated for a ban on hybrid paddy seeds, citing financial losses from a high breakage rate of 45-50% during milling. In response, the Punjab govt banned both hybrid seeds and PUSA-44, a long-duration variety known for depleting groundwater. Millers had, however not opposed the sowing of PUSA-44, as it has no breakage issues. Punjab rice industry president Bharat Bhushan Binta told TOI that since milling of hybrid varieties was not financially viable, millers in the state will not accept its crop during the upcoming procurement season. He suggested that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) should come up with relaxed breakage norms for the hybrid varieties so that millers don't suffer losses, as had been the case last year. "The hybrid varieties don't meet the specifications fixed for paddy milling," he said. Despite the ban, farmers in several parts of the state have planted Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy varieties, particularly in areas like Muktsar, Fazilka, and Mansa, which face problems with saline groundwater and waterlogging. These farmers, who previously adopted hybrid varieties after repeated cotton crop failures, sourced seeds from Haryana to get around the restrictions. Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president of the Punjab Rice Industry Association, argued that milling hybrid paddy yields only 55-57% head rice, compared to the standard 67%. The high percentage of broken rice forces them to buy additional rice at higher prices to meet their 67% delivery contracts with the govt, he said. Last year too, rice millers claimed that both PR-126 and hybrid paddy varieties had a low out-turn ratio (OTR) because of a higher rate of grain breakage. Their reluctance to accept these stocks led to slow procurement in many grain markets. Amid a dispute with rice millers, a group of farmers selling their paddy alleged that they were being offered a price lower than the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal for hybrid varieties. They claimed they were facing losses despite a bumper crop. Some millers also had an issue with the PR-126 variety. Last year, the state govt agreed to the millers' demand to re-test the out-turn ratio (OTR) of PR-126 and other hybrid varieties. The re-testing aimed to determine the exact OTR, which the Centre allows at 67% for common rice and 68% for par-boiled rice. According to millers, the PR-126 variety has an intrinsic defect of broken grains, which results in a lower rice yield of about 5 kg per quintal. They claim that because this short-duration variety matures in just 110-125 days, its rice production ratio is only 62-64 kg per quintal, despite being a good option for water-scarce areas in Punjab due to its low water requirements. In Oct last year, Union food minister Pralhad Joshi said that it is understood that the primary reason for the low OTR was the rise in hybrid varieties that are marketed in the name of PR-126 in the state of Punjab. Make IIT Report Public: Millers Amid a controversy over the high breakage rate of hybrid paddy varieties, a team from IIT Kharagpur visited three rice mills in the state last Oct to study the out-turn ratio (OTR) of paddy stocks. Millers are now demanding that the results of these tests be made public. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
HC strikes down ban on notified hybrid paddy seeds, allows curbs on non-notified varieties
In a relief to Punjab farmers and seed dealers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday set aside the state government's blanket prohibition on hybrid paddy seeds, noting that 'the state lacked the power to ban notified varieties certified under the central law'. Hearing three petitions, challenging the Punjab Agriculture Department's order issued on April 7, 2025, banning the cultivation of all hybrid and PUSA-44 varieties in that state, a single bench of Justice Kuldeep Tiwari, however, upheld the state's authority to restrict the use of non-notified hybrid seeds. Justice Tiwari, at the same time, underlined that the state is well within its powers to act against non-notified hybrids. 'Seeds that are not notified under the Act of 1966 do not enjoy legal sanctity. Hence, their prohibition in Punjab is justified,' the order stated. Clash of laws In April, the Punjab government initially banned the cultivation of PUSA-44 and all hybrid paddy seeds through administrative orders, citing environmental concerns such as delayed maturity and excessive stubble residue, sparking a legal battle. The state government argued that 'agriculture is a state subject and powers under the East Punjab Improved Seeds and Seedlings Act, 1949, allowed it to regulate seed use'. The court, however, held that 'once Parliament enacted the Seeds Act, 1966, the 1949 law effectively lost relevance on overlapping matters. The 1966 Act governs the broader field and outlines the mechanism for seed regulation. Therefore, the state cannot issue conflicting directions against notified varieties'. The Union government had also clarified that 'de-notification of a seed variety is possible only through the Central Seed Committee after giving the breeder or proponent a fair hearing'. Farmers and the seed industry react The ruling comes after weeks of uncertainty faced by Punjab's farmers when the sowing season is already over in the state. Farmers argued that hybrid seeds not only mature earlier but also save water and provide better returns than traditional Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) varieties. 'Hybrid seeds give us Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000 more per acre and mature faster. We were in a fix because of the ban, but the court removed that confusion. Though the cultivation period this year has passed, it will be helpful next year,' said Jaspal Singh, a Patiala farmer who has been cultivating hybrid seeds for the past five years. Welcoming the verdict, Federation of Seed Industry of India chairman Ajai Rana said, 'It restored the role of science in agriculture. The seed industry welcomes this progressive decision. Hybrid rice delivers 5-6 quintals higher yield per acre as compared to other varieties, has a shorter crop cycle, conserves up to 30 per cent water under Direct Seeded Rice practices and helps lower emissions, offering farmers a proven and sustainable pathway. All notified hybrids have undergone rigorous ICAR trials and meet national milling standards, including FCI's 67 per cent Out Turn Ratio. FSII member companies release hybrid rice as well as any new seed product after years of multi-location trials, screening for yield, biotics and abiotic stress tolerance, grain quality and milling standards. 'The recent episode, however, highlights how ad-hoc policy actions create confusion among farmers while depriving opportunity to plant high-yielding rice hybrids for higher income and disrupting the growth of the seed industry. Decisions must, therefore, be consultative and science-based to ensure confidence, stability and credibility. We remain committed to working with the Punjab government, central regulators and stakeholders to empower farmers with high-quality seeds and advanced biotech tools, while strengthening sustainability, groundwater conservation, and food security.' While the court's decision clears the path for notified hybrids, it keeps intact the state's authority to block non-notified seeds. Agriculture experts say this means Punjab farmers will continue to have access to certified hybrids, but the state can still act against uncertified and unapproved varieties that do not meet national standards.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Can't put blanket ban on PUSA-44, other paddy hybrids: HC to Punjab
Setting aside the Punjab agriculture department's April 7, 2025, order imposing a blanket ban on PUSA-44 and all hybrid paddy seeds, both notified and non-notified , the high court on Monday ruled that the directive 'does not withstand the test of legality.' The HC, however, upheld the administrative orders of April 4 and April 10, 2019, which imposed a prohibition only on the use of non-notified varieties of hybrid paddy in the state. (HT FIle) The Punjab and Haryana high court bench clarified that the state cannot prohibit the use of varieties duly notified by the government of India under the Seeds Act of 1966. Justice Kuldeep Tiwari, in his order, stated that the government notification dated April 7, 2025, 'does not pass the test of legality.' 'Therefore, the writ petitions are allowed and the impugned administrative order is set aside,' read the order. In the 59-page order, the court observed that the state government was not vested with any power to impose a ban upon notified kind or variety of hybrid seeds, which have legal force on account of Section 5 of the Act of 1966'. The HC, however, upheld the administrative orders of April 4 and April 10, 2019, which imposed a prohibition only on the use of non-notified varieties of hybrid paddy in the state. The court orders came on two civil writ petitions filed in the high court against the orders by the Punjab agriculture department, which initially banned PUSA-44 and all types of hybrid paddy seeds, notified and non-notified alike. Senior advocates Munisha Gandhi and Gurminder Singh, representing the petitioners, companies involved in the business of seed production/trading, or the farmers aggrieved by the blanket ban, argued that the state government lacked statutory power to issue such sweeping orders. They contended that the subject of seeds falls in the concurrent list of the Constitution, giving Parliament the authority to legislate. Supporting this view, the Union government also opposed the blanket ban. In its reply filed through the additional solicitor-general Satya Pal Jain, the Centre submitted that the Seeds Act 1966 did not empower any authority to restrict or allow movement of seeds, which was a matter linked to interstate trade protected under Article 301 of the Constitution. The court said that although a detailed reply has been filed, the state government maintained stoic silence on certain queries. 'As stated by the senior counsels for the petitioners, the state government has neither separately notified any seeds as per provisions of Section 2(i), nor established any mechanism of authorised dealers as per provisions of Section 2(iv) of the Act of 1949. Rather, the state government is following the mechanism for regulating seeds as per the central government enactments, i.e. the Act of 1966, Rules of 1968 and the Seeds Order. Consequently, this court can easily infer that, despite the Act of 1966 being in force, the Act of 1949 has been dug out and invoked by the state government merely to lend legal force to its decision to impose a ban on the use of notified kind or variety of hybrid seeds,' read the order.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Pusa-44 banned in Punjab to save groundwater, but ground reality shows its unabated flow from Haryana
Despite the ban by the Punjab government on Pusa-44, the longest-duration paddy variety, farmers in Punjab are still obtaining its seeds from Haryana. The government in April banned the sale of Pusa-44, which significantly burdens Punjab's groundwater, as well as hybrid paddy varieties, which offer yields comparable to, or even higher than, Pusa-44 in just four months. Ranjit Singh, a farmer from Patiala, said he has planted a nursery of the paddy variety Pusa-44 this season despite the ban. 'We know it is not allowed, but our livelihood depends on it. The yield is 5–6 quintals higher than that of the short-duration varieties, and millers happily take this variety. What else can we do?' he asked. Ranjit said he procured the seeds from Karnal in Haryana through known contacts. 'There are farmers there who grow the seed for us. It is sold openly since it is not banned there. If you know someone, you can get it. You just have to avoid getting caught when bringing it into Punjab, where it is banned.' Ranjit said he used to grow hybrid seeds from various companies, but could not get them from Haryana because several dealers were selling full kits that included seed and multiple costly sprays. 'The kits were expensive, so I decided to go with PUSA-44, which offers nearly the same yield. Its seed is much cheaper in comparison. I bought Pusa-44 seed at Rs 120 per kg, and for one acre, I need about Rs 480 worth of seed. My nursery is now 10 days old, and I plan to transplant it into the field by June 8 or 9.' Another farmer, Major Singh from Ludhiana, said he also procured Pusa-44 seed from a grower in Haryana, as most dealers in Punjab are not selling it. 'Those who do, they sell it only provide it to people they know well,' he added. Farmers like Jatinder Singh from Sangrur, Jeet Singh from Barnala, and several others echoed similar sentiments, citing high yield, strong grain quality, and preference from millers as key reasons for continuing with Pusa-44 despite the ban. Despite environmental concerns and a formal ban, a steady flow of the variety continues to enter the state. Farmers, seed sellers, and agricultural experts all paint a picture of a policy quietly being defied on the ground. Pusa-44, a high-yielding, long-duration paddy variety released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1993, was once extensively grown across Punjab. Its popularity was driven by yields of 32–36 quintals per acre and strong demand from rice millers. However, its long maturity period of over 155 days requires seven to eight more irrigation cycles than short-duration varieties. This leads to a huge burden on groundwater, delays harvesting, narrows the window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, and contributes significantly to stubble burning — a major factor in North India's worsening air pollution. To address this, the Punjab government banned Pusa-44 cultivation in November 2023 and promoted short-duration, water-efficient alternatives like PR 126 and PR 121. But enforcing the ban has proven to be a major challenge. Hard to trace paddy flow from Haryana: Officials Many wholesalers and retailers continue to prepare and sell paddy seed in the Karnal district of Haryana, a known seed hub. Sellers there admitted that Pusa-44 seeds are still sold over the counter. 'We don't advertise it, but farmers, especially from Punjab, know about it. They are willing to pay a premium. Some local farmers even grow the seed specifically for them,' Balwinder Singh, a seed producer. Another seller added that private growers are filling the gap while large companies have officially stopped producing Pusa-44. 'It is not hard to find. Farmers from Punjab often visit during the off-season, collect small quantities, and distribute them informally.' While some seeds are packed in labelled bags, farmers often request plain packaging to avoid regulatory scrutiny in Punjab, they said. Officials from the Punjab Agriculture Department admitted that enforcement of the ban remains inconsistent. 'Our teams conduct regular inspections, but tracking informal seed networks is difficult. When seeds are exchanged between farmers or brought in from Haryana in small quantities, it is hard to trace,' said an official in Chandigarh. They also acknowledged that the issue goes beyond enforcement. 'As long as market economics favour Pusa-44, farmers will continue finding ways to cultivate it.' A senior agricultural economist from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, emphasised the need for a deeper, more practical solution. 'If farmers prefer hybrid paddy varieties due to better returns, they should be allowed to grow all recommended hybrids. At the end of the day, it is an economic decision. Farmers are doing the math, and when they are getting free power for irrigation of longer duration varieties with high yield, why wouldn't they go for higher-yielding varieties?' He added that if millers are concerned about hybrids giving lower outturn (processing yield), the government should step in — either by offering incentives to millers or by adjusting the acceptable outturn percentage. 'While the short-term benefits of growing Pusa-44 are clear to farmers, the long-term environmental costs — stubble burning, excessive water use, and worsening air quality — threaten Punjab's agricultural sustainability. Until policies better reflect on-ground realities and economic drivers, farmers will continue to turn to banned seeds for better harvests,' another expert from the Punjab Agriculture Department said on the condition of anonymity.
