Punjab to launch IPM technology in basmati growing area

The Punjab government has decided to launch a Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technology in the Basmati growing areas of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts covering 150 villages at a cost of Rs 1.06 crore in collaboration with Sir Ratan Tata Trust for the year 2009-10.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per an agreement between the state government and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the entire cost of the project would be borne out by both in the ratio of 50:50. The Punjab government had already released its 50% share of Rs 50 lakh from the Rural Development Fund and likewise, Sir Ratan Tata Trust would also contribute its share.

One trained scout in each adopted village would be deputed to disseminate the technical message of the agriculture experts to enable the farmers to use pesticides and insecticides as per their recommendations.

These efforts would not only improve the quality of Basmati for the international market but also result in cutting the cost of production and increase in the income levels of the farmers. The increase in the area under Basmati would also help the state in conserving the ground water resources and lead to bio-diversity in the agriculture production system.