Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) on the Moongi (lentil) crop on Friday in order to encourage crop diversification across the state while also conserving groundwater.
Farmers cultivating Moongi may be assured that the state government will buy every grain of their crop if they sow paddy PR-126 variety or Basmati in the same field after harvesting Moongi since these crops mature faster and use less water than other rice varieties.
Moongi has an MSP of Rs 7,275 per quintal and is grown on almost 77,000 acres this year, up from 50,000 acres the previous year.
"This is the first time a government has promised farmers that Moongi will be purchased at MSP. The farmers would be able to boost their income by cultivating another crop in between the wheat and paddy cycles, according to the chief minister.
He also stated that the Punjab government will acquire Basmati at a fair price to guarantee market price stability and prevent farmers from losing money.
The chief minister went on to say that such a move will encourage farmers to grow less water-intensive rice types such as PR-126 and Basmati to help the state's rapidly dwindling water table.
The Punjab chief minister has already provided a cash incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre for farmers who adopt direct sowing of paddy. Farmers will be weaned away from paddy transplanting, which is harmful to the environment, and a groundwater guzzler.
From May 20, farmers have been allowed to go in for direct seeding. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made the statement. Farmers' labour troubles would be alleviated by using the direct seeding technique ahead of each paddy season. Because transplantation labour is becoming more costly, farmers might save money by using DSR.
