Farmers seek govt’s guidance on paddy sowing

Farmers in Punjab have sought advice from the government and Punjab Agricultural University regarding the appropriate variety of paddy to sow, aiming to prevent price cuts during the procurement process. In a memorandum submitted to the district administration, Nishan Singh, District President of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Kadian), and senior leader Master Boota Singh raised concerns over the price cuts imposed by procurement agencies.

According to the farmers, they had followed the government’s advice and sowed PR 106 and PR 131 hybrid varieties of parmal paddy. However, Boota Singh alleged that procurement agencies, in collaboration with millers, imposed unfair price reductions on farmers, citing reasons like low quality of paddy. The procured paddy is later sent to millers for custom milling.

The farmers claimed that during the previous season, they were heavily penalised under the pretext of low-quality paddy, with substantial price cuts imposed. Boota Singh has called on the government to organise a farmer fair to educate farmers on which paddy varieties would prevent such issues during procurement. The sowing season for paddy is set to begin in May.

In addition, the farmers have expressed concern over the Punjab government’s decision to impose stamp duty on the transfer of property between blood relatives. The farmer leaders criticised the new policy, noting that the previous government had exempted this duty, but under the Mann government, it now ranges from 1% to 2.5%. They have strongly opposed this move and warned that they would resist it fiercely if the proposal is not reversed.