The Punjab government announced on Wednesday its plan to diversify 12,000 hectares of paddy cultivation to kharif maize this year, as part of its ongoing crop diversification programme.
To encourage farmers to adopt maize, the state will offer a financial incentive of Rs. 17,500 per hectare, aimed at fostering sustainable agriculture and enhancing farmer incomes, said Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian.
The pilot project will be implemented primarily in the districts of Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala, which have been identified to lead the paddy-to-maize transition.
To support the effort, the government has deployed 200 ‘Kisan Mitras’ (farmer friends) who will work directly with cultivators to promote and facilitate the shift from water-intensive paddy to maize.
Khudian explained that the incentive scheme aligns with the government’s strategy to promote water-efficient crops while improving the economic resilience of farmers.
“Crop diversification will not only help improve soil fertility and reduce water usage, but also build a more sustainable and robust agricultural system,” Khudian said. “This initiative is a crucial step toward achieving long-term sustainability in Punjab’s farming sector.”
Administrative Secretary Basant Garg noted that maize has already been sown across 1,500 hectares, indicating strong early adoption.
Punjab’s heavy dependence on paddy cultivation has led to alarming groundwater depletion, and officials see this shift as a key measure.
In addition to the cash incentive, the government will cover input costs such as seeds and fertilizers, and will provide technical assistance and training to ensure farmers are well-equipped to adopt and benefit from maize cultivation.
This targeted move is expected to play a significant role in reshaping the state’s agricultural landscape and addressing environmental challenges tied to traditional cropping patterns.
