Punjab seeks approval to BG-3 cotton seeds

New Delhi, July 18

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeking his personal intervention in speeding up research and early approval to the next generation BG-3 cotton seeds.

He stated this while expressing deep concern over pest attacks, especially pink bollworm and whitefly attack, on cotton crop.

Meanwhile, Punjab has been included in the Agricultural Statistics Improvement Plan. Chouhan handed over the approval letter for Punjab’s State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA) proposal, expressing the Centre’s commitment to support the state’s agricultural initiatives.

As per the approval letter from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab has been included in the Improving Agricultural Statistics (IAS) scheme, allowing for the establishment of a project monitoring unit (PMU) under SASA. The scheme provides 100 per cent financial assistance for IAS-related activities, marking a significant step towards enhancing the agricultural statistics system.

The meeting also focused on the implementation of the Crop Residue Management Scheme, emphasising the need for serious efforts to address environmental concerns. Chouhan suggested that farmers should be encouraged to diversify to mitigate the problem of farm fires and increase farmers’ income.

Khudian also brought forth other significant agrarian concerns, including timely release of funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and consistent supply of fertilisers.

He also appealed for the restoration of 100 per cent central funding for the CRM scheme, which was changed to a 60:40 pattern in 2023-24.