Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the establishment of a centre of excellence for basmati rice during his visit to the Netherlands, a move aimed at promoting crop diversification and enhancing farmers' incomes. Mann emphasized the need to reduce dependence on the traditional wheat-paddy cycle, which has led to overexploitation of Punjab's fertile land and water resources. The centre will focus on sustainable farming practices, including low-pesticide cultivation and aligning production with international standards. Discussions with LT Foods, a company operating in over 80 countries, highlighted the potential for collaboration on sustainable basmati cultivation. Mann also called for enhanced partnerships between Dutch companies and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to advance agricultural research. The chief minister's visit included meetings with officials from the Dutch agriculture ministry and the Indian Ambassador to Finland, focusing on creating a future-ready ecosystem for Punjab's youth.