Agriculture experts have raised serious concerns over the Punjab Government’s decision to advance the paddy transplantation date to June 1, warning that it could lead to rapid depletion of groundwater.
Agriculture experts have raised serious concerns over the Punjab Government’s decision to advance the paddy transplantation date to June 1, warning that it could lead to rapid depletion of groundwater.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s announcement has sparked apprehension among farm experts that farmers may revert to cultivating long-duration paddy varieties, exacerbating the problem of stubble burning and resultant air pollution in October and November.
Noted economist and former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr SS Johl, has strongly criticised the decision, calling it “totally unwise”. He advocated further delaying the transplantation dates beyond June 15, ideally to the last week of June, citing scientific studies that show better crop yield when sown later in the month.
“Do they wish to finish all the groundwater? This move will only accelerate Punjab’s desertification,” said Dr Johl. “Late Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former CM Amarinder Singh are principally responsible for the declining water-table due to the populist policies of providing free water and power for agriculture, leading to its massive misuse. Now, this decision of advancing the date will aggravate the matter,” said Dr Johl.
He highlighted Punjab’s ongoing water crisis, emphasising that even any phased manner transplantation of paddy should start after June 15.
He said farmers and agricultural scientists had been experimenting with various water-saving techniques such as direct seeding of rice and bed plantation to conserve resources.
However, advancing transplantation dates could push farmers towards long-duration paddy varieties, resulting in greater stubble burning and worsening air pollution. “We must follow the recommendations of Punjab Agricultural University rather than making arbitrary decisions based on populist politics,” he added.
Echoing Dr Johl’s concerns, former PAU Vice-Chancellor BS Dhillon warned that if groundwater extraction continued at its current rate, Punjab’s groundwater resources up to 300m could be exhausted within 20–25 years, while water at a depth of 100m might disappear within a decade. “At this pace, we will soon deplete the third aquifer, leaving us with nothing,” Dr Dhillon stated.
“Instead of advancing the paddy transplantation dates, we should be promoting short-duration paddy varieties,” he said.
The Tribune
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