Agricultural prosperity strengthened through Punjab Government initiatives

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Owing to proactive and farmer-centric initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, Punjab's agriculture sector witnessed positive and transformative developments during 2025. A record increase in sugarcane prices, focused crop diversification measures, and sustained emphasis on environmentally responsible farming practices together marked a significant milestone in agricultural advancement across the state.

The primary objective of the Punjab Government has been the empowerment of farmers alongside the preservation of environmental sustainability. As a result of these policies, notable changes were recorded during the year. The announcement of the highest-ever State Agreed Price (SAP) for sugarcane in the country at «16 per higher than the previous year—was made, ensuring that sugarcane growers in Punjab receive the highest remuneration nationwide.

As a consequence of sustained and coordinated efforts, incidents of stubble burning during the Kharif season were reduced by 53 percent. In 2025, the number of reported stubble burning cases declined to 5,114, compared to 10,909 in 2024. Since 2018, more than 1.58 lakh Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines have been provided to farmers on subsidy by the state. During the current year alone, over 16,000 approval letters for CRM machines were issued, strengthening on-ground capacity for residue management.

Significant progress was also recorded in the area of crop diversification. The area under cotton cultivation increased by 20 percent, reaching 1.19 lakh hectares. To encourage adoption, a 33 percent subsidy on PAU-recommended BT cotton seeds has been extended to farmers. More than 52,000 farmers registered online to avail this subsidy, indicating strong participation and trust in the support mechanisms provided.

The Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique, promoted as a water-conservation measure and supported through financial assistance of R 1,500 per acre, received widespread acceptance among farmers. As a result, the area under DSR increased by 17 percent, expanding from 2.53 lakh acres in 2024 to 2.96 lakh acres in 2025.

Growth was also observed in basmati cultivation, with the area increasing from 6.81 lakh hectares in the previous year to 6.90 lakh hectares in 2025. This expansion reaffirmed basmati as a profitable and export-oriented crop, contributing significantly to farmer's income and state's agricultural economy.

Crop diversification efforts made 2025 a landmark year, as concrete steps were taken to reduce dependence on the paddy-dominated cropping cycle. Pilot projects implemented in six districts—Bathinda, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Pathankot—encouraged a shift from paddy to Kharif maize cultivation. Under these initiatives, maize was cultivated on more than 11,000 acres in place of paddy. Financial assistance of R 17,500 per hectare was provided to maize growers, along with an additional {10,000 per hectare under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). In SAS Nagar and Rupnagar districts, further support was extended through subsidies on maize seeds at the rate of {100 per kilogram, reinforcing the foundation for long-term agricultural transformation.

Through subsidies on cotton seeds, promotion of DSR, and focused diversification programmes, meaningful progress was achieved during the year. The record sugarcane price announcement once again reflected the Punjab Government's resolve to recognise and reward farmers' hard work. A continued emphasis on innovation and environmentally sustainable agriculture has been reaffirmed for 2026 as well.