In an effort to promote crop diversification and reduce water usage, the Punjab government has announced the expansion of its Kharif maize cultivation scheme from six to 16 districts for the 2026-27 season. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that the scheme will provide farmers with a subsidy of ₹17,500 (roughly $210 USD) per hectare, the same as the previous year. This decision follows a successful pilot project that demonstrated positive results in six districts during the 2025-26 season. The scheme aims to cover 20,000 hectares across districts such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala, among others. Farmers will need to register on a government portal and undergo a verification process to confirm their transition from paddy to maize cultivation. The government emphasizes that this initiative is crucial for securing Punjab's water resources and ensuring the profitability of local farmers.