In Ambala district, crop-diversification scheme gets lukewarm response

Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 3

The ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme to promote crop diversification and reduce the area under water-guzzling paddy crop has received lukewarm response in the district.

Against the target of 5,041 acres, just around 2,750 acres have been registered under the scheme despite an incentive of Rs 7,000 per acre being offered by the Agriculture Department for farmers who switch to alternative crops under the initiative.

While June 30 was the last date for registration, just 1,638 farmers got themselves registered with their 2,748-acre land.

As per the data procured, 237 paddy farmers from Ambala City block have switched 447 acres to alternative crops, 182 farmers from Ambala Cantonment have switched around 328 acres, 209 farmers from Barara have adopted alternative crop on 259 acres, 153 farmers from Mulana have adopted alternative crop on 252 acres, 492 farmers from Naraingarh have switched 838 acres, 175 farmers from Saha have switched 273 acres and 196 farmers from Shahzadpur have switched 348 acres to alternative crops.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), Ambala spokesman, Rajiv Sharma, said, “Farmers are also concerned about the depleting water table but lower yield of alternative crops compared to paddy is a major reason behind the reluctance in adopting the scheme. The government should increase the incentive and introduce more crops that suit our agro-climatic and soil conditions. The farmers don’t want to take risks by adopting sensitive and lower-yield-producing crops. There is a need to introduce more water-tolerant crops.”

Deputy Director Agriculture, Ambala, Dr Girish Nagpal, said, “With the depletion of underground water at an alarming rate, it is vital to shift from traditional crops like paddy and wheat. Efforts were made by the department to motivate farmers. This year, the scheme received better response compared to previous years. The farmers are adopting the scheme and the scenario is changing gradually. We are hopeful that more farmers will switch to alternative crops in the coming years and help the department is saving groundwater.”

Like previous years, the farmers who have adopted the scheme will be given incentive of Rs 7,000 per acre. Unlike last year when the incentive was given in two instalments, this year the incentive will be given in one instalment after physical verification by a committee consisting of a department official, patwari, numberdar and the farmer concerned.

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