Direct sowing of paddy will start in Punjab from today. This announcement was made by CM Bhagwant Mann. This time the new target of the government is to sow paddy in 5 lakh acres with DSR technology in this Kharif season.
The government will give financial assistance of Rs 1500 per acre to the farmers who adopt DSR. At the same time, farmers growing Basmati can also earn Rs 1500 per acre with the help of DSR technology. The government claims that this will save 15-20 percent water. At the same time, wages will also be reduced by Rs 3500 per acre.
113 blocks in dark zone, water shortage
The biggest problem of the Punjab government at this time is the falling water level, which is a big problem. 113 blocks of the state are dark zones. Water has gone down to 600 to 700 feet, whereas earlier water was easily available at twenty to 25 meters. In such a situation, the government is focusing on direct sowing of paddy to save water.
According to the government, DSR was adopted in 2.53 lakh acres in 2024, which was 47% more than in 2023. In 2024, 21,338 farmers were given assistance of ₹29.02 crore. Whereas farmers will get double benefit from DSR. Water will be saved by 15-20%, while labor cost will be reduced by 3,500 per acre.
Punjab uses two percent rice
Rice is not included in Punjab’s food. Only less than two percent of the total production of rice is used by the people of Punjab. While the rest of the producers give it to the central grain reserves. However, last year the farmers had to face great difficulty regarding the lifting of paddy. There was a shortage of space in the warehouses. Such a situation can arise this time also. For this, the government has been in touch with the central and state government from the very beginning.
