The latest draft of the Agriculture Policy underscores the pivotal role of agro-processing in elevating farmers’ incomes across Punjab. Central to this strategy is the enhancement of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) facilities located in Abohar and Hoshiarpur. However, this approach has sparked concerns among small and marginal farmers, who hold approximately 35 percent of the state’s agricultural land.
For many small-scale farmers, the centralized processing plants present significant logistical challenges. The high costs associated with transporting crops to distant facilities render the initiative impractical for those operating on limited scales. Balwinder Singh Mahalan, a seasoned expert in alternative crop farming from Ferozepur, highlighted the disconnect between policy intentions and ground realities. “Despite multiple discussions with officials, tangible solutions to the hurdles faced by small farmers in cultivating and marketing alternative crops like chilies, tomatoes, and potatoes remain elusive,” Mahalan stated. He advocated for the establishment of smaller, localized processing units that would alleviate the financial strain of long-distance transportation.
Addressing these issues, the draft policy also introduces the creation of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Agri-processing and Value Addition at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana. This initiative aims to foster agri-entrepreneurship and develop specialized clusters for fruits, vegetables, and other alternative crops. These clusters are envisioned to be supported by advanced post-harvest handling, packaging, and cold chain systems, thereby enhancing both domestic and export market potentials.
Manpreet Singh Grewal, president of the PAU Kisan Club, echoed the necessity for proximity in agro-processing facilities. “Agro-processing can only be truly beneficial if the units are situated near the farmers’ farms,” Grewal emphasized. He proposed leveraging government schemes like MNREGA to facilitate the establishment of these local units. Furthermore, Grewal criticized the government’s insufficient efforts in educating farmers about setting up essential infrastructure, such as silos and processing facilities, which are crucial for the sustainability of small-scale agro-processing.
Grewal concluded by acknowledging the government’s initiatives to engage with the farming community but cautioned that the policy’s success hinges on its ability to meet the practical needs of farmers. “While the government’s outreach is commendable, the policy will only be effective if it directly addresses the everyday challenges faced by our farmers,” he remarked.
As Punjab navigates the implementation of this comprehensive Agriculture Policy, the balance between centralized infrastructure and the needs of small and marginal farmers remains a critical focal point. Ensuring that agro-processing initiatives are both accessible and economically viable for all farmers will be essential in realizing the policy’s goal of significantly boosting agricultural incomes across the state.
