Flood-hit farmers in Jalandhar, Moga, Kapurthala, Fazilka, Ferozepur and other flood-affected districts will be provided high-quality wheat crop seeds for the upcoming rabi season.
Secretary of Agriculture Department, Dr KS Pannu & Director Swattantar Kumar Airy told that the seeds would be distributed through the Punjab State Seeds Corporation. Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab had already asked the State Seeds Corporation to arrange good quality wheat seed for the flood-affected cultivators.
According to available details, around 30,000 hectares land was affected due to floods. Thus 30,000 quintals of wheat seed will be given by the Punjab State Seeds Corporation in the next few weeks. Dr Pannu said, “The total cost of seed requirement in Punjab has been estimated at Rs 9-crore”. The quality seed of wheat crop costs around Rs 3,000 / quintal.
In the meantime, Chief Agriculture Officer of Moga, Dr Balwinder Singh & Plant Protection Officer, Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar told that 7,000 hectares was affected by the floods in the district.
On the orders of District Magistrate Sandeep Hans, officers of the Agriculture Department in a recent survey of flood-affected crops had assured growers that the State government will provide quality wheat seed free of cost to them in the next few weeks.
The state government said that the main motive of this gesture is to extend a helping hand to the flood-affected farmers.
Captain Amarinder has also issued required directions to the Agriculture Department to ensure timely distribution of wheat seed to the flood-affected cultivators so that they do not suffer any further losses.
Source- The Tribune
