Experts caution against early paddy sowing in Punjab amid water crisis

18-Apr-2025 08:07 PM

Chandigarh. Agricultural experts have raised serious concerns over the Punjab government’s decision to advance the paddy cultivation schedule by nearly 20 days, warning that it could worsen the already alarming groundwater crisis in the state.

Despite contributing the largest share of rice and wheat to the central pool, Punjab has been facing a steady decline in its groundwater levels for the past decade due to excessive water use in paddy farming, which requires high irrigation.

Experts say that the state's dams and reservoirs have limited water stock due to low rainfall, forcing farmers to rely heavily on groundwater.

A recent report reveals that between 2015 and 2024, the water table has dropped by 2 to 4 meters across 81.05% of Punjab’s area.

Continuous extraction has pushed groundwater to deeper levels, weakening the soil surface, which could prove disastrous for the state's agricultural future.

In response, a group of agricultural scientists has written to the Chief Minister, urging the government to reverse its decision and delay paddy sowing until the onset of monsoon.

The experts warned that Punjab’s groundwater is depleting at a rate of 2 feet annually and immediate corrective steps are essential.

They also called for promoting water-efficient alternative crops to prevent long-term damage to the farming ecosystem.