Amritsar, April 26: The Punjab government’s decision to delay the start of paddy transplantation across the State by five days this year will not affect the acreage under the crop as compared to last year, said State Agriculture Department officials.
“We don’t see the decision of delaying the start of paddy transplantation hitting its acreage. We are expecting farmers to sow paddy [basmati and non-basmati rice varieties] over 28.5 lakh hectares this season. Last year, the area under paddy was 30.4 lakh hectares,” said Jasbir Singh Bains, director, Punjab Agriculture Department.
The State government issued the order on Tuesday asking farmers to start paddy transplantation from June 20 instead of June 15 last year. The decision has been taken in order to preserve water and check the fast depleting groundwater table in the State.
Mr. Bains said that keeping in mind the latest order, the department would focus on advising farmers to sow “short-duration’’ varieties of paddy.
“We are suggesting farmers to opt for varieties such as PR-126 that matures in 93 days after transplantation and consumes less water, making it suitable for water-scarce conditions,” said Mr. Bains, adding that there are other recommended varieties that the farmers could sow this season.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com
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