Punjab Government’s ongoing campaign to diversify its crop portfolio has achieved a significant boost, with a 16 per cent surge in the area under Basmati cultivation during the current Kharif season.
Attributing the same to the state government’s proactive measures, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Friday highlighted that as of August 14, Basmati has been cultivated across 5.74 lakh hectares during the Kharif season, out of the total paddy cultivation area of 31.88 lakh hectares. Comparatively, in the Kharif Season of 2022-23, the total Basmati cultivation area was 4.95 lakh hectares out of a total paddy cultivation area of 31.68 lakh hectares.
Breaking down the district-wise data for Basmati cultivation, Khudian reported that Amritsar takes the lead with 1.35 lakh hectares under Basmati cultivation, followed by Sri Muktsar Sahib with 90,000 hectares, Fazilka with 78,800 hectares, and Tarn Taran with 52,000 hectares. Notably, Amritsar district has witnessed a substantial increase of 24,000 hectares in its Basmati cultivation area. Similarly, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Gurdaspur districts have seen increases of 21,500 hectares and 18,000 hectares, respectively.
Khudian emphasized that the rise in Basmati cultivation area reflects the Government’s promise to support farmers and ensure they do not incur any losses in Basmati cultivation.