In view of the diminishing groundwater levels, efforts are being made by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare the promotion of the cultivation of cotton under crop diversification.
The farmers are also being given a 33 percent subsidy on soft seeds for the early sowing of the cotton crop. In addition to this, efforts are also being made to supply canal water to farmers, especially on the tail ends of canals in order to irrigate the cotton fields.
Yesterday, Dr. Gurwinder Singh, Director of Agriculture visited Balluana village of the Bathinda block to check whether efforts are being made for the promotion of cotton cultivation at the ground level.
During the visit, he met farmers shortlisted by the department to promote the cultivation of the cotton crop.
Dr. Baljinder Singh, Agriculture Officer at Agriculture Development Officer Dr. Manjinder Singh, and Dr. Lovepreet Kaur directed the farmers to make all possible efforts and take care of the crops by spending maximum time in their fields.
Dr. Dilbagh Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer on the occasion said that all possible efforts were being made for the revival of cultivation of the cotton crop in the district.
He asked farmers to avoid the cultivation of moong to safeguard the cotton crop from whitefly attacks as moong is a natural host for whitefly. Also, he said farmers could apply on the department’s website- agrimachinerypb.com to get a subsidy on cotton seeds till May 15.
He added, “If any farmer wants to get any information regarding subsidy on cotton seeds, he can talk to the Agricultural Development Officer or Block Agriculture Officer of his constituency.”
