Latest news with #Pusa
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Beyond paddy hybrids: Basmati may just be the answer for farmers in Punjab
1 2 Chandigarh: Basmati could emerge as a viable alternative following the recent ban on hybrid and Pusa 44 paddy varieties, despite the potential short-term challenges for farmers and seed vendors. Improved market prices in some areas might help offset farmers' concerns about the fluctuating basmati prices experienced over the last few years. Last year, the Punjab govt had imposed a ban on sale of hybrid paddy seeds due to lower rice recovery and poor milling recovery. The hybrid varieties of paddy, besides Pusa 44, gained popularity among farmers because of their early maturity and other short-term benefits. Originally allowed in the early 2000s due to wet conditions in parts of Muktsar, Malout, and Gidderbaha, the use of these seeds eventually spread across Punjab, especially Gurdaspur and Amritsar in the Majha region and Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur in Doaba. Meanwhile, in 2023-24, Punjab produced 26 lakh tonnes of basmati, which increased to 32 lakh tonnes in 202425. Due to international demand, 1121 paddy is being sold at Rs 5,000 per quintal in some areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president, Basmati Rice Miller and Exporter Association, said with the ban on hybrid varieties and Pusa 44, basmati rice had become a viable and sustainable option. He highlighted that basmati not only consumed significantly less water, but also fetched premium prices in both domestic and international markets. Jossan noted that basmati varieties like 1121, 1885, 1509, 1718, and 1401 were in high global demand and Punjab boasted of a strong marketing structure for basmati. "In 2023-24, Punjab produced 26 lakh tonnes of basmati, which increased to 32 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Currently, due to strong international demand, 1121 paddy is being sold at a rate of Rs 5,000 per quintal. Looking ahead, rising demand suggests that farmers can expect even better prices. The state govt should now focus on spreading awareness among farmers and encouraging them to transition to basmati cultivation with proper guidance, seed quality control, and export support," he said. Last year, the state govt targeted a 40% increase in basmati paddy cultivation. This year, it is targeting 10 lakh hectares — a significant jump from 5.96 lakh hectares in 2023, with the state pushing for Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) on one lakh hectare of the targeted basmati area. Basmati growers are also eligible to adopt the DSR technique and avail themselves of a financial incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre. Farmers in the basmati belt of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Tarn Taran have shown interest in adopting DSR for the PUSA 1509 variety. MSID:: 121694801 413 |
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt distributing new paddy variety seeds
Prayagraj: With the beginning of the Kharif season, farmers are preparing to plant export-oriented paddy seeds in the trans-Yamuna villages of Sangam city. The state govt in an effort to increase the income of farmers, is not only encouraging technology and export-based varieties of paddy crops but also increasing the amount of subsidy on seeds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This time, farmers are being encouraged to grow export-oriented paddy varieties in their fields. The Koraon block in trans-Yamuna of Sangam city is called the rice bowl of the state because of the large amount of paddy production. Earlier, paddy was grown on around 1.45 lakh hectares, but plans are afoot to cultivate paddy crops on 1.77 lakh hectares this year. Deputy Director (Agriculture) Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma said, "Till now, the paddy variety Pusa 1121 was grown in the district, but now farmers are being encouraged to grow a new paddy variety, Pusa 1718, in place of Pusa 1121. " He further added that this new variety is similar to the aromatic variety of Basmati, which has a good fragrance as well as more shine. Officials said, "As the demand for Pusa 1718 variety rice is high in exports, this will increase the income of farmers manifold. The govt is distributing seeds of this new species in this financial year." Vishwakarma, meanwhile, claimed that around 1555.20 quintals of seeds of this new species of paddy will be distributed in the district, out of which 1,533 quintals of seeds have been received by the department. For better distribution, as many as 23 distribution centres were set up across the district to cover the majority of farmers. The state govt has also announced a 50 percent subsidy on paddy nursery seeds to help farmers. This will reduce the cost of cultivation and encourage farmers to achieve better production. These seeds will be made available in all the blocks of the district from June 15.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab government not to purchase banned Pusa 44 variety of paddy: Chief minister Bhagwant Mann
Patiala: Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the state govt would not purchase the water-guzzling paddy variety Pusa 44, which had been banned by the govt. He said anyone sowing this variety would do so at their own risk. Replying to media queries on Wednesday, Mann said the govt had already declared that farmers could go ahead with short-term varieties, including PR 126, 127, 128, or PR 129. However, Pusa will not be purchased as it takes 152 days, and if anyone is sowing the banned water-guzzling variety, they will be responsible for it, he added. There are reports that some farmers are preparing their nursery to sow the long-duration Pusa 44 variety after obtaining seeds from the neighbouring state of Haryana, said Mann. Replying to a query on the political outcry over the appointment of non-Punjabis as chairpersons of various boards, Mann condemned former deputy CM and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, saying that during their rule, the SAD appointed the Punjabi University VC from Delhi. "Punjabiyat is our mission. The opposition leaders are even making false propaganda that residents from Haryana are getting jobs in Punjab, but we are giving jobs to Punjabis and have made the Punjabi written test compulsory for govt jobs. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 빠진 치아 있다면? 1개도 10개도 개당 33만원에 임플란트 해드려요 플란치과 더 알아보기 Undo Sometimes, we have to bring 'specialists' from other states. Our specialists from Punjab are working in other states. Four Punjabis have become ministers in foreign nations," the CM highlighted. Earlier, Mann addressed a gathering after reviewing ongoing development works in Ghanouri Kalan, Ghanour Khurd, Kataron, and Changali villages. He said various govt departments were working in coordination with each other for the welfare of the rural population. Mann said Punjab lived in its villages and that the ultimate goal of a progressive and vibrant Punjab could only be achieved through clean and green villages. He said the state govt had already placed major emphasis on achieving this goal. "Dhuri will be developed as a model city through holistic development, backed by adequate funding. The city will soon be equipped with world-class healthcare and educational facilities, improved roads, clean ponds, water recharging systems, and canal water irrigation. Significant resources have already been allocated to ensure the comprehensive development of villages in the segment. There is no shortage of funds for development, and the state govt is making all possible efforts to ensure the holistic progress of villages," said the CM. "A detailed roadmap has been drafted to boost ongoing development efforts in both urban and rural areas. In addition to development, efforts are being made to place the state on a path of high economic growth for the benefit of its people," he added. The CM revealed that a total of Rs 13.98 crore had been issued for 129 development projects in these panchayats, out of which 93 projects worth Rs 8.67 crore had been completed. He further said 36 projects worth Rs 5.31 crore were currently in progress and would be completed soon. Furthermore, based on the needs of the five village panchayats, an additional grant of Rs 12.19 crore had been issued for 32 more development projects, said Mann. MSID:: 121320317 413 |
