The Centre is pushing for crop diversification in Punjab, which has more than 80% of its geographical area under rice and wheat, as the state faces widespread desertification
In a full-blown attack by the disease (late blight), more than 50% potato crop in the fields has suffered extensive damage leading to heavy losses for the farmers who had opted for diversification instead of growing wheat after paddy.
The massive floods in Punjab in July destroyed the paddy crops of hundreds of farmers. Months later, the eroded sand from the Sutlej River is yet to be cleared from many fields and sowing the wheat crop seems like an impossible dream.
Mann said that as per the suggestions received from farmers during two Kisan Sarkar Milnis, it has been decided to commence the sowing of paddy in a phased manner. He said that the paddy sowing will begin on June 10, 16, 19 and 21 in different parts of the state.
The Centre Tuesday announced a relaxation in quality norms for wheat procurement with a deduction in the produce value depending on the quantity of shrivelled grains and lustre loss