Non-paddy cultivation being promoted in Pb, Hr

Keeping in mind the Centre’s advice of encouraging crop diversification, the paucity of farm labour and the diminishing water table, the states of Haryana and Punjab are promoting sowing of crops other than paddy.

In this regard, Haryana government has announced an incentive of ₹7,000 per acre for non-paddy cultivation and even banned paddy cultivation in eight water-stressed blocks. An incentive of ₹2,000 per acre besides free seeds and other inputs for diversification to maize was rolled out by the state last year.

Punjab, on the other hand, is urging farmers to go for maize cultivation this year.