Chandigarh, May 14: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi on Wednesday, securing a commitment from the Centre to maintain an uninterrupted supply of fertilisers for the state. The meeting focused on critical agricultural reforms, including a joint effort to address Punjab’s depleting groundwater levels and the promotion of alternative crops such as maize, pulses, and oilseeds to shift away from the traditional wheat-paddy cycle.
During the discussions, the Chief Minister requested the de-notification of specific hybrid paddy seeds that have caused issues during the milling process. He noted that certain varieties result in higher grain breakage, making it difficult for produce to meet the quality standards required by the Food Corporation of India. “In view of the forthcoming Kharif 2026 season, necessary action must be taken on priority for the de-notification of some of these hybrid paddy seeds in Punjab so that smooth procurement and lifting operations can be ensured,” Mann stated.
The Chief Minister also advocated for Punjab’s inclusion in the Central Seed Committee under the proposed Seed Bill 2025, citing the state’s role as the nation’s “food bowl.” He affirmed that despite representing only 2% of the population, Punjab contributes nearly 125 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 185 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the national pool annually. In response to the concerns regarding paddy hybrids, the Union Minister affirmed that a special committee would be established to examine the matter.
Furthermore, Mann sought federal approval for a wheat seed subsidy for the 2026-27 financial year to improve the Seed Replacement Rate. He maintained that replacing approximately 33% of wheat seeds annually is necessary to sustain high yields. Addressing the environmental crisis, the Chief Minister asserted that 117 out of 150 blocks in Punjab are now in the “dark zone” regarding groundwater. He urged the Centre to support diversification by providing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for alternative crops to encourage farmers to move away from water-intensive cultivation.
