With the aim to provide some relief to farmers amid Covid-19 pandemic and to encourage direct sowing of paddy as well as mechanized cultivation of maize in Kharif season, the government of this state has decided to provide subsidy up to 50 percent on purchase of machinery used for this purpose. The move will immensely benefit Punjab in saving ground water and also help the cultivators in tackling the problem of labour scarcity amid Coronavirus restrictions.
Talking to media, Kahan Singh Pannu, Agriculture Secretary said that 50 percent subsidy will be provided to women and scheduled castes while 40 percent to other farmers. The secretary also told that cultivators had been asked to submit their applications to avail the benefit of subsidy on machinery needed for maize and paddy cultivation till 10th May.
Pannu further informed that the machinery on which subsidy will be given include direct seeding of rice machines with or without spray attachment; paddy nursery sowing machines; paddy transplanting machines & equipment that is used for maize sowing, threshing & drying.
The Secretary while giving details of the process for getting subsidy said that the Department of Agriculture had simplified the whole procedure to facilitate the farmers to avail maximum advantage of the subsidy considering the COVID-19 restrictions. Pannu said that the farmers can submit their applications to the field officers on a simple paper via e-mail or Whatsapp.
He also pointed out that the farmers who are interested to take the benefit of subsidy can get more information at toll free/helpline no 1800-180-1551 of ‘Kisan Call Centre’ in between 6 am to 10 pm.
