Adopt crop diversification, Badal tells farmers

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked farmers in the state to adopt crop diversification, saying it would go a long way in bailing out the distressed peasantry from the current agrarian crisis.
"Farmers must adopt cultivation of crops like maize and soyabean which are more remunerative and less water- intensive," Badal said while addressing an event in his home constituency Lambi.
He also stressed on the need for adopting agro forestry and fish farming for supplementing their income, besides preventing the depletion of under-ground water table.
Badal said farmers in water-logged areas must adopt fish farming as there is a tremendous scope in it. He said the state government would extend support to them in this cause.

The 85-year-old Chief Minister also advised the farmers to adopt the technique of using farm equipment on custom hiring basis to curtail the heavy cost of expenditure on farming.
He said the state government was giving 33 per cent subsidy on this project.

"Adopting this technique will not only reduce the cost of farm input, but will also enhance your (farmers') profits," he said.
On the arrangements made by the state government for ongoing paddy procurement, the Chief Minister said it was the foremost duty of the state government to ensure a hassle-free procurement of the farmers' produce.
He said arrangements for smooth procurement have been made and 1,795 purchase centres have been established across the state for this purpose.