What is future of Punjab agriculture?
Punjab must reduce area under rice. Given its climate, Basmati rice has a bright future in the global market. With Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh out to exploit the untapped potential these states will pose a major challenge to Punjab which will find it very difficult to sell its produce outside its boundaries. Punjab has to preserve its scarce water resources, use scientific techniques like sprinkler and drip irrigation instead of flood irrigation. Soil nutrition and fertility is endangered. Give farmers training and education. Farm technocrats must be trained and farmers given incentives like assured price and market. Till then diversification will remain a dream. Punjab must change its cropping pattern. Instead of chapati wheat it should shift to bread wheat to sell in the world market. Instead of ordinary rice it should sow Basmati varieties. How do you view your achievements as a rice-breeder? What is next in the pipe-line? (He blushes, smiles and whispers modestly.) At present, t
