Paddy cultivation surges in Punjab and Haryana

Farmers in Punjab and Haryana persist with paddy cultivation despite environmental concerns and diversification efforts.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

In the country's agrarian heartlands of Punjab and Haryana, farmers remain deeply entrenched in the cycle of paddy cultivation, despite mounting environmental concerns and the introduction of government-backed incentive schemes promoting crop diversification.

Ground-level reports collected from farmers reveal that the area under paddy cultivation in both states is set to rise again this year. Officials expect the area under paddy cultivation to increase beyond last year's nearly 19 lakh hectares, as nearly 23 lakh hectares have already been sown compared to 18.50 lakh hectares during the same period last year, with transplantation likely to continue until the end of July. Farmers and experts cite the Punjab government's decision to allow early transplantation from June 1 instead of June 15, which puts extra pressure on groundwater resources.