Mann stated at the meeting that the urgent need is to bail farmers out of the ongoing agrarian crisis. Agriculture, he said, is no longer a profitable venture due to rising input costs and diminishing returns. As a result of this, the state's farmers are at a crossroads."
Mann stated that the sole purpose of the interaction is to bridge the gap between decision-makers and stakeholders so that policies are tailored to the needs of farmers. He urged farmers to abandon traditional farming methods in favour of cutting-edge technology in order to maximise profits.
He stated that the state government is already working with the Indian government on the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on alternative crops. According to him, MSP will help farmers supplement their income and wean them off of stubble burning.
The state government is also focusing heavily on the food processing sector, and will soon establish processing plants in the state for sugarcane, litchi, garlic, kinnow, and other fruits, he said.
According to Mann, Punjab produces 80% of the total basmati produced in the country. He stated that its production will be increased in the coming days, which will boost the basmati industry, supplement farmers' income, and conserve a valuable natural resource in the form of water.
He urged farmers across the state to grow basmati rice and assured them of his government's support in growing the crop and getting a fair price for it.
Mann also stated that the government is considering the use of canal water for enhanced cultivation, for which the state's irrigation network will be improved. He stated that the government will make every effort to ensure that water reaches every village.
The CM also urged officers, particularly deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners, to increase their field visits, particularly in villages, and interact with the people. Approximately 15,000 farmers registered during the meeting.
