‘Crop diversification need of hour’

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 20

Crop diversification is need of the hour was stressed in a virtual conference held on “Ushering Green Revolution 2.0 in Punjab” with focus on diversification, value addition and wastage reduction held here on Monday night.

Addressing the conference organised by the CII, Rajat Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion and Commissioner Excise and Taxation, lauded the state farmers for their diversification efforts, even amid the Covid pandemic.

The state government’s concerted push to use the direct seeding of rice technology is expected to save both ground water and power consumption, along with the natural resources of Punjab. Intensifying its endeavour towards crop diversification for promotion of horticulture, fruit estates are being established in the state. The Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Kartarpur has been established in association with Israel to make Punjabi farmers aware of the latest technological and scientific advancements in cultivation of vegetables.

Punjab is looking towards solarisation of tube wells, organic farming and increase in agri exports. Dedicated research centres have been established at PAU, Ludhiana.

Speaking on the ecosystem for food management and wastage reduction to boost farm income in Punjab, Manjit Singh Brar, Managing Director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited, said marketing was the real solution for food management, whereas storage is just a temporary solution. Farmers connect with consumers is the need of the hour.

Rajnikant Rai, chief executive, agri business divsion, ITC Limited, said, “Delhi NCR region alone is using 15 per cent of India’s vegetable and fruit consumption. ITC is the producer of high-quality potato seed in Punjab. It is targeting to diversify and cater other crops as well.

Anand Vijay Jha, chief public policy officer, Walmart India, said the company adopted an integrated approach by its Indian indigenous firms.