In a bid to increase the productivity of wheat in Punjab, the state government has distributed 2.50 lakh quintal seeds of better quality among farmers under centrally sponsored National Food Security Mission (NFSM). The Punjab government had secured Rs 32 crore for enhancing the productivity in wheat and pulses. On the other hand the neighboring state Haryana has also got Rs 19.09 crore for wheat and pulses.
Talking to FE, Balwinder Singh Sidhu, director agriculture of Punjab said, “Ten districts have been selected for enhancing the yield of wheat. These are Sangrur, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarntaran, Hoshiarpur, Barnala, Mohali and Ropar. We will be implementing the scheme for pulses very soon. Though we had sent the proposal for Rs 46 crore for the year 2007-08 but we could got Rs 32 crore only. But we hope to get more funds in the year 2008-09.”
Although Haryana is yet to implement the scheme, but it has secured a grant for the scheme. Seven districts including Bhiwani, Ambala, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Mahendergarh have been identified for wheat crop. Five districts including Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sonipat, Hisar and Sirsa have been selected for pulse crops in the state.
Commenting on the issue, BS Duggal, additional director agriculture, Haryana said, “We are about to implement the scheme in the state. Wheat is cultivated in area of 23.76 hectare and record production of 100.55 lakh tonne with productivity of 4,232 kg per hectare was harvested during the year 2006-07. But productivity analysis reflected a wide gap in the productivity of wheat across different districts of the state. The objective of the mission is to increase production of wheat through area expansion and productivity enhancement. Besides, it also aims at restoring soil fertility and to reduce cost of cultivation.”
The mission which is just one year old was launched to reduce dependence on import of basic commodities rice, wheat and pulses.
There is plan to increase the production of wheat, rice and pulses by 8.00, 10.00 and 2.00 million tonne respectively during the 11th Plan. The total financial implications for the NFSM is around Rs.5,000 crore during the 11th Plan. Beneficiary farmers will have to contribute 50% of cost of the activities, work to be taken up at their individual farm holdings.