TNN | Apr 20, 2025,
Chandigarh: Punjab govt has set a target to increase area under cotton crop to at least 1.25 lakh hectares this year. The govt has also decided to revive a scheme which gives 33% subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), announced agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Saturday.
The subsidy scheme was first announced in 2023, making farmers with up to 5 acres of land under cotton cultivation eligible for the benefit. The area under cotton in Punjab significantly declined over the last few years, from 2.68 lakh hectares in 2018-19 to 0.97 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
Khudian said Rs 20 crore was allocated for the subsidy program, entirely funded by the state govt. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on cotton growers while simultaneously discouraging the cultivation of nonrecommended hybrids, enabling them to adopt high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrid seeds.
"Cotton, a crucial kharif crop in the south-western districts of the state, presents a viable alternative to the water-guzzling paddy crop, contributing to both agricultural diversification and economic growth," he said.
Urging the farmers to take advantage of this opportunity and adopt the recommended BT cotton hybrid seeds, he added, "The subsidy program is a crucial step towards achieving crop diversification, besides ensuring the prosperity of our cotton industry."
Basant Garg, administrative secretary of the agriculture department, informed that the subsidy program is limited to a maximum of five acres or ten packets (each weighing 475 gm) of cotton seeds per farmer.
He appealed to the farmers to obtain original bills for all BT cotton seed purchases, while directing the department officials to conduct regular monitoring and inspections to prevent the entry of spurious seeds from neighbouring states.
He warned that any laxity in enforcing these regulations would result in strict action. (Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)