In a major step towards sustainable agriculture, the Punjab government on Wednesday announced a plan to diversify 12,000 hectares of paddy farmland to kharif maize this year under its crop diversification initiative.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said the move aims to promote water-efficient farming and boost farmers' incomes. Farmers who opt for maize cultivation will receive a financial incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare to support the shift.
The pilot project will be implemented across six districts — Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala — with 200 'Kisan Mitras' deployed to guide and motivate farmers in making the transition.
Highlighting the benefits of maize, Khuddian said the crop consumes significantly less water than paddy and offers a range of uses, including food, animal feed, and starch production, thus opening up broader market opportunities for cultivators.
"By diversifying our crops, we can improve soil health, reduce water consumption, and create a more resilient agricultural system. This will not only benefit our farmers but also is a crucial step towards achieving our goal of sustainable agriculture in Punjab," said Khuddian.
Administrative secretary Basant Garg added that kharif maize has already been sown on over 1,500 hectares, and the state will also extend technical training and input support to farmers under the scheme.
Punjab, which has long depended on paddy cultivation, faces serious challenges due to depleting groundwater levels. The government believes this diversification effort will play a key role in addressing the issue while securing better returns for the farming community.
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