Pusa-44, hybrid paddy discouraged in Punjab; farmers advised to sow PAU-recommended varieties only

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Farmers in the state should avoid cultivating Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy varieties and instead sow only those varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), advised the Director of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.

In recent years, farmers in Punjab have been cultivating the Pusa-44 variety and various hybrid paddy types. However, these varieties not only take a longer time to mature but also consume significantly more water. Additionally, during the Kharif 2024 season, farmers faced serious marketing difficulties due to grain breakage during milling of hybrid paddy.

In this regard, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been consistently writing to the Government of India through official communications, urging special consideration for the denotification of Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy varieties. The matter has also been raised in various meetings with the central government.

Subsequently, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian held special meetings with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to highlight the challenges faced by Punjab farmers. As a result, the Government of India, under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, and based on the recommendation of the Central Seed Committee, officially denotified the Pusa-44 variety on 31 December 2025.

Regarding the restriction on hybrid paddy, the Government of India issued a letter on 19 February 2026 to the Agriculture Department seeking detailed information and data. The Punjab Agriculture Department has already submitted the required information and relevant data to the Centre on 24 February 2026. It is noteworthy that the process to denotify hybrid paddy varieties is currently underway, and necessary legal procedures are being carried out.

In this connection, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has sought time to meet the Union Agriculture Minister again soon to further discuss the matter.

Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab, Dr. Gurjeet Singh Brar, has advised farmers that during the upcoming Kharif 2026 season, they should avoid cultivating Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy, considering issues such as high water requirement, susceptibility to diseases and pest attacks, and post-harvest marketing challenges. This will help farmers avoid economic losses.

He also directed seed dealers and sellers across the state to refrain from stocking Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy seeds during the Kharif 2026 season.

The Director further advised farmers to sow only certified varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University for the state.