Diversification-Maize,Sugarcane cultivation gears momentum in Patiala
Patiala-Mission Tandarust Punjab, the biggest ever health initiative of Punjab, not just aims to improve health and hygiene facilities but to also promote healthy farming in state. Conserving the natural resources, Patiala is taking big strides in field of diversification. Farmers are once again turning to maize, sugarcane, vegetable etc cultivation.
Taking stock of a review meeting convened in this context, Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit stated that the area under maize cultivation has increased from 200 acres to 1200 acres, which is
around 20 percent increase. The private sector too has contributed in it following which 40 quintals of seeds has been sold in subsidy. In association with farmers organizations and organizations working in
interest of farmers, awareness campaign is also being run on diversification. Similarly, the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased to 2500 hectares, which is 200 percent increase. The area
under paddy cultivation too has shrunk from 2,32,900 hectares in 2017-18 to 2,00, 300 hectares. The area under vegetable cultivation too has increased.
Kumar Amit stated that the efforts to conserve underground water too are in full swing which is evident from the fact that 195 acres of land under paddy cultivation covers paddy directly sown. He added that keeping in view the performance of monsoon it can be well said that the depleting water table will get improved.
He added that the district administration will continue its earnest efforts of conserving the natural resources. Under the Sub Soil Act in state, paddy sowing is not allowed before June 20 and farmers can see positive results of the same in days to come. Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Arvinder Singh, technical expert Ravinderpal Singh Chattha and others were also present.
