Muktsar, May 13: Even though the state government has advised the farmers not to sow paddy before June 20, a number of farmers here have already started sowing it.
During a recent visit to Gidderbaha town, some farmers were seen sowing paddy in their fields along the roadside near Rupana village.
“We first sow ‘satthi’ variety that matures early and then ‘1121’ Basmati. It gives us good results. Even the state government has given relaxation to some waterlogging-affected villages in our district,” said the farmers.
However, Baljinder Singh Brar, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said, “The state government will give free power to tubewell connections after June 20. If the farmers are sowing it in advance, then their input cost will increase as they will have to buy diesel.”
Gurbhagat Singh Bhalaiana, a farmer leader of Muktsar, said, “There are some farmers who get three crops a year – ‘satthi’, basmati and later wheat. These farmers sow paddy early and irrigate their fields at their own expense.”
Some farmers under the banner of the Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) on Saturday held a meeting in Malout town and demanded that the hybrid variety of paddy, which is a ‘boon’ for waterlogging-hit farmers, must not be stopped from sowing. “The waterlogging-hit farmers, who rarely get any crop on their infertile land, had got good yield last year. However, this year the government has banned its sowing,” said Gurmej Singh Kabarwala, block president of the union.
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