Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday sanctioned Rs 5 crore to the state Agriculture Department from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to provide 25,000 quintal of free wheat seed to Punjab farmers affected by the recent floods.
The seeds will help the farmers prepare for Rabi 2019-20, said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office adding that the decision was in line with the announcement made by Capt Amarinder during his visit to the flood affected areas in the State.
The Chief Minister has also directed the Deputy Commissioners of the flood hit districts — Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Ropar etc, to ensure the supply of adequate quantity of wheat seed to the farmers to ensure its timely distribution before the commencement of the sowing season.
The seeds will be provided to the farmers through PUNSEED — the state’s nodal agency for the distribution of certified seed, as per the recommendations of Punjab Agricultural University. Spokesperson said this wheat seed would be supplied to the farmers as per the guidelines of National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.