Punjab’s Paddy Predicament: A Challenge to Crop Diversification

GS 3 – AGRICULTURE

Context:

Despite sustained efforts by the Punjab government to shift away from paddy, the state continues to witness high acreage under paddy cultivation during the kharif season.

Current Scenario: Dominance of Paddy in Punjab

• In the ongoing kharif season, around 35–36 lakh hectares have been allocated for paddy cultivation, marginally higher than the 35.2 lakh hectares recorded last year.
• Paddy covers over 92% of the cultivated area, while alternative crops like cotton, maize, pulses, oilseeds, and sugarcane make up a mere 8%.

Why Paddy Still Prevails in Punjab

1. MSP Assurance:
   Guaranteed procurement under the Minimum Support Price makes paddy a secure economic choice for farmers.
2. Lack of Market Ecosystem:
   Crops like maize and pulses lack the institutional procurement and price assurance that paddy enjoys.
3. Farmer Risk Aversion:
   In the absence of stable returns, farmers are reluctant to switch to non-paddy crops.
4. Infrastructure Deficiency:
   Inadequate processing units, storage, and market linkages for alternative crops discourage diversification.
5. Subsidy-Induced Incentives:
   Free electricity and fertilizer subsidies disproportionately support water-intensive crops like paddy.
6. Historical Dependence:
   A legacy of paddy-focused policies has entrenched the crop deeply into Punjab’s agricultural system.

Key Concerns Arising from Paddy Cultivation

• Soil Nutrient Depletion:
  Intensive paddy farming drains essential nutrients, increasing dependence on chemical inputs.
• Groundwater Crisis:
  Paddy’s high water demand has led to a 0.5-meter annual decline in groundwater levels.
• Biodiversity Loss & Pest Risks:
  Monoculture reduces ecological resilience and increases pest and disease outbreaks.
• Stubble Burning:
  Short sowing-harvest windows due to regulatory timelines lead to burning of paddy residues, aggravating air pollution.
• Climate Sensitivity:
  Paddy is vulnerable to unpredictable rainfall, floods, and rising temperatures, heightening risk in the face of climate change.
• Methane Emissions & Land Damage:
  Over-irrigation and waterlogging from paddy fields contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation.

Punjab’s Measures to Promote Diversification

• Pilot Project:
  A program was launched to shift 12,000 hectares from paddy to maize and expand cotton acreage by 15%.
• Water Conservation Law (2009):
  The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act prohibits early sowing and transplantation of paddy before May 15 and June 15, respectively, to conserve groundwater.

Way Forward: Strategies for Sustainable Diversification

1. Expansion of Diversification Efforts:

• Set more ambitious targets beyond current pilot scales.

2. MSP for Alternate Crops:

• Extend price support to crops like maize, pulses, and oilseeds to de-risk farmers.

3. Market & Infrastructure Development:

• Invest in processing units, storage, and supply chain linkages for non-paddy crops.

4. Crop Insurance Access:

• Broaden crop insurance coverage to reduce risk for farmers adopting new crops.

Structural Reforms Required:

• Electricity Rationalization:
  Replace free power with tiered pricing to discourage wasteful water use.
• Integrated Crop Planning:
  Align cropping decisions with water availability and market demand.
• Technology Promotion:
  Encourage drip irrigation, sprinklers, and drought-resilient varieties.
• Green Incentives:
  Provide differential pricing or bonuses for adopting sustainable cropping systems.