Punjab Initiates Phased Transplantation of Paddy for Kharif Season
Phased transplantation of paddy begins in Punjab
Image: Hindustan Times
The Punjab government has commenced the phased transplantation of paddy for the kharif season, dividing the state into three zones and banning hybrid varieties. The initiative is aimed at enhancing yield and reducing water usage, with incentives for direct seeding of rice (DSR) to promote sustainable practices.
- 01Transplantation of paddy began in Punjab on Monday, covering an area of 32 lakh hectares.
- 02The state government has banned hybrid paddy varieties due to low yield and poor grain strength.
- 03Transplantation will occur in three phases, with the first phase covering districts in the Malwa, Majha, and Doaba regions.
- 04Direct seeding of rice (DSR) was encouraged earlier, with incentives of ₹1,500 per acre to promote water conservation.
- 05DSR allows crops to mature 7-10 days earlier and reduces water, labor, and land preparation costs.
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The Punjab government has initiated the phased transplantation of paddy for the kharif season, starting on Monday. The state is divided into three zones to manage the process effectively. A ban on hybrid varieties has been imposed due to previously reported low yields and poor grain quality. Agriculture director BS Brar noted that the first phase includes districts such as Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Amritsar, with subsequent phases scheduled for June 5 and June 9 in other regions. The government has also promoted direct seeding of rice (DSR) as a more sustainable alternative, offering an incentive of ₹1,500 per acre for farmers who adopt this method. DSR requires less water and allows for earlier maturation of crops, thus addressing water scarcity issues associated with traditional paddy transplantation. The government aims to increase the area under DSR from last year's 2.7 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares this season.
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The phased transplantation and promotion of DSR will help conserve water and improve crop yields in Punjab.
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