The Haryana Government’s crop diversification initiative Mera Pani Meri Virasat (MPMV), meant to encourage farmers to move away from water-guzzling paddy, has received a lukewarm response this kharif season. Official figures show that less than 20 per cent of the intended shift from paddy to alternative crops materialised.

Statistics at a glance

District — Target (acres) — Achieved (acres) — No. of farmers

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Sirsa — 17,950 — 1,360 — 822

Yamunanagar — 12,305 — 5,245 — 3,464

Jind — 11,510 — 694 — 907

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Fatehabad — 8,980 — 646 — 504

Hisar — 8,810 — 818 — 569

Kaithal — 7,210 — 998 — 738

Ambala — 5,060 — 3,847 — 2,906

Compounding concerns, nearly 38 per cent of the claims submitted by farmers seeking benefits under the scheme were found to be false during physical verification, carried out by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.

Under the scheme, the state had aimed to divert paddy cultivation on one lakh acres by offering an incentive of Rs 8,000 per acre to farmers adopting other crops. The department received applications from 20,696 farmers, claiming to have diversified 31,718 acres. However, verification established that only 19,670 acres — spread across 13,500 farmers — actually qualified, exposing significant discrepancies.

The initiative was designed to conserve groundwater and restore the state’s declining water table. While Yamunanagar farmers showed the highest shift from paddy, no district reached even 50 per cent of its target.

The government had earmarked land for different crops under the diversification plan: 39,835 acres for cotton, 29,080 acres for fodder/fallow, 15,285 acres for vegetables and horticulture, 6,440 acres for agro-forestry, 5,245 acres for pulses, 3,500 acres for maize and 615 acres for oilseeds.

Despite publicity efforts, farmers have largely stayed with paddy, citing assured returns and the procurement system. On the other hand, recurring losses in cotton have made them wary of switching crops.

Among districts, Sirsa was allotted the highest diversification target, followed by Yamunanagar, Jind, Fatehabad, Hisar and Kaithal. Farmers opting for cotton, maize, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fodder or agro-forestry are eligible for the incentive.