Chandigarh: Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has made an impassioned appeal to the Union Government to address the pressing concerns of farmers across the state. The Minister emphasized the need for immediate dialogue with agitating farmer unions to resolve their long-standing demands.
Highlighting the deteriorating health of fasting farmer leader S. Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, Khuddian urged the central government to take swift action to save his life.
Among his demands, Khuddian proposed:
• ₹15,000 per acre as gap funding to encourage crop diversification.
• ₹2,500 per acre for the scientific management of paddy straw to reduce environmental pollution.
• Approval for BG 3 hybrid cotton seeds, resistant to pests, to ensure better yields.
• Subsidies for alternative uses of paddy straw, including CBG (Compressed Biogas) and biofuel plants, to support sustainable practices.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, Khuddian stated, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, we stand firmly with our farmers to secure their future and promote eco-friendly farming practices.”
The call comes as Punjab’s agricultural sector faces challenges, including rising input costs, environmental concerns, and the need for crop diversification to reduce dependency on water-intensive crops like paddy.
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