The Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has introduced subsidies for hybrid seeds of kharif maize. This move is part of a broader strategy to diversify crop patterns and reduce reliance on water-intensive crops like paddy. Under the new subsidy scheme, farmers in Punjab will receive Rs 100 for every kilogram of hybrid maize seeds certified by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that this subsidy will be applicable up to 5 acres or 40 kg per farmer, ensuring widespread accessibility among agricultural stakeholders.
Minister Khudian highlighted the government's dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices, expressing ambitions to expand kharif maize cultivation to 2 lakh hectares this year, aiming for increased water conservation and agricultural diversification.
Apart from seed subsidies, the government also plans to cover 4,700 hectares under maize demonstrations. This initiative includes financial support of Rs 6,000 per hectare for essential inputs such as fertilizers and insecticides, aimed at optimizing maize yields and improving farmer incomes.
To streamline the subsidy distribution process and ensure transparency, subsidies will be directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. Interested farmers are encouraged to apply through the online portal agrimachinerypb.com to avail themselves of these benefits.
Ensuring quality control remains a priority, with strict monitoring protocols in place to regulate seed sales. Minister Khudian reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing only certified and recommended seeds to farmers, underscoring the importance of agricultural sustainability and productivity.
This comprehensive initiative reflects Punjab's proactive approach to agricultural development, aiming to mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing farmer livelihoods through targeted subsidies and support measures. For more information and application guidelines, farmers are advised to visit agrimachinerypb.com or contact local agricultural authorities.
