Farmers' enthusiasm for paddy cultivation in Punjab and Haryana remains intact
07-Jul-2025 01:14 PM
Chandigarh. Farmers’ interest in paddy cultivation continues to be strong in Punjab and Haryana, the two major states contributing rice to the central pool, pointing to a possible increase in production area this year.
Despite water shortages in Punjab and efforts to promote crop diversification, farmers remain committed to paddy cultivation.
Ground-level surveys suggest that the paddy production area may rise again in both states. The area under paddy has reached around 23 lakh hectares so far, compared to 18.50 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
Transplantation is expected to continue until the end of July. Notably, the Punjab government allowed farmers to begin paddy transplantation from 1 June this year, earlier than the usual 15 June, a move that has raised concerns about additional pressure on groundwater resources.
According to available data, during the 2024 Kharif season, the paddy production area in Punjab rose to a record 32.44 lakh hectares, which included 6.39 lakh hectares of Basmati paddy.
At present, transplantation is ongoing at full pace, and the Agriculture Department expects the production area this year to match or exceed last year’s figure. Despite the state government investing heavily in crop diversification schemes, farmers continue to show a strong preference for paddy cultivation.
Punjab remains the top contributor of paddy to the central pool. Out of Punjab’s total Kharif crop area of around 36 lakh hectares, more than 90 percent is dedicated to paddy.
In Haryana, the normal average area under paddy is about 15 lakh hectares, accounting for 50 percent of its total cultivable land of 30 lakh hectares.
Based on the current pace of transplantation, the paddy area is expected to exceed 15 lakh hectares this season.
The state is promoting direct sowing of paddy, a method that has gained traction among farmers over the past two years. Currently, paddy is being cultivated through this method in approximately five lakh hectares.