In a bid to address the escalating pest crises affecting Punjab’s cotton crops, the state’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, has urged Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan to expedite research and approval for the Next Generation BG-3 cotton seeds. The appeal, made during a meeting at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday, underscores the pressing need for advanced seeds to combat persistent threats from Pink Bollworm and whitefly infestations.
Khudian emphasized that the current BG-2 cotton seeds are proving inadequate against the pervasive pest attacks. He believes that transitioning to the more resilient BG-3 seeds will significantly bolster the state’s cotton production and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
In addition to this critical request, Khudian expressed gratitude towards Chouhan for the recent approval of the State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA). This new body is expected to enhance the state’s agricultural planning, monitoring, and research capabilities, marking a significant step forward for Punjab’s farming sector.
The discussion also covered several other agricultural issues. Khudian highlighted the impact of recent changes to the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, which now requires a 60:40 funding split between the Centre and the state, down from the previous 100% central sponsorship. The minister called for a reinstatement of full central funding, citing Punjab’s crucial role in national food security.
Moreover, Khudian requested that the central government offer per-acre incentives to compensate farmers for the added costs of managing paddy straw. He also raised concerns about the frequent shortages of phosphatic fertilizers during the Rabi season and urged Chouhan to ensure a steady supply of these crucial inputs.
Further, the Punjab Minister noted that the central government’s decision to halt financial assistance for wheat seed replacement under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a setback. He appealed for the continuation of this support to meet the growing food demands of the country.
The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary Agriculture Mr. KAP Sinha, Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh, and other senior officials from both the Punjab and Union agricultural departments.
