Crop diversification can save Punjab from agri crisis: Mann

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said crop diversification can save Punjab from the “deep crisis” that agriculture and farmers were in. He gave a clarion call to the agri scientists and experts across the globe to become a guiding light for farmers to enable them to give a major push to crop diversification in the state.

In his address at international conference on “Transforming agrifood systems in the face of climate change and energy transitions” at the PAU here, the CM emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change’s impact on agriculture, especially in the wake of Punjab’s vulnerability due to its intensive rice and wheat production.

Mann said crop diversification was badly needed to accelerate resilience, higher yields and nutrient-rich soil. He asked the scientists at the conference to do more work for propelling crop diversification in the state. The CM said the onus was on the scientists to guide the farmers in adopting sustainable practices ensuring Punjab’s agricultural prosperity.