CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11 — To restore cotton cultivation to its former prominence, the Punjab government has announced a 33% subsidy on seeds for the upcoming season. The Agriculture Department initiative is designed to support farmers planting both indigenous and Bt cotton varieties, particularly as the state seeks to recover from historically low acreage levels.
Eligible farmers can submit applications through the official government portal between April 20 and May 31. The subsidy applies to seed varieties approved by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and is capped at a maximum of five acres per farmer. This financial intervention comes at a time when the state’s “white gold” has seen a dramatic decline, falling from 7 lakh hectares in the 1980s to approximately 1 lakh hectares in 2024.
“We have stressed timely availability of high-quality seeds and subsidies on Bt cotton to encourage wider adoption among farmers,” stated Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU. He noted that ensuring canal water supply for pre-sowing irrigation and promoting balanced fertilization are essential components of the revival roadmap. While the state saw a modest increase to 1.19 lakh hectares in 2025, officials have set a more ambitious target of 1.26 lakh hectares for the current year.
The decline in cotton farming has been largely attributed to persistent pest infestations, such as the pink bollworm and whitefly, alongside market prices that have frequently dipped below the Minimum Support Price. Agriculture Director Gurjeet Singh Brar affirmed that many farmers shifted toward paddy due to more reliable irrigation and fewer pest risks. He declared that the department is now focusing on awareness campaigns, timely sowing, and deep ploughing to mitigate these challenges and protect the interests of the farming community.
