Making unceasing efforts to conserve natural resources by curbing the use of un-recommended varieties, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is in full swing to supply a reliable, improved, certified and quality paddy seed to the Punjab farmers during the current Kharif season.

The unwarranted use of water for the cultivation of unrecommended water-guzzling Pusa 44 has led to drastic fall in groundwater table in Punjab,” observed Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU. The doom’s day is not far, if the farmers continue to use Pusa 44, intensifying and worsening the situation, he cautioned, while advising the farming community to be highly sensible and responsible in the adoption of varieties for paddy cultivation. Remarking that nothing can be left to fate, Dr Gosal appealed to the farmers to not worsen the present crisis. Adopt and use PAU developed high-yielding, less-water consuming, early maturing ‘PR’ varieties which have yielded exceptional results at farmers’ fields, he advised. All godowns of PAU at its 35 centres in different districts of Punjab are jam packed with certified paddy seed, he informed, while urging the farmers to purchase, sow and grow ‘PR’ varieties for greener Punjab and its sustainable agriculture.

Dr Rajinder Singh, Associate Director (Seeds), informed that the year 2023 saw 70 per cent of Punjab’s paddy area under ‘PR’ varieties. “We are making perpetual efforts to increase the percentage of the area under ‘PR’ varieties by stopping the farmers from sowing Pusa 44 which has been banned by the State government this season,” he added. Dr Singh informed that the seed sale centres will be open across Punjab during all the seven days of the week from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm keeping in view farmers' convenience. Farmers need not worry regarding paddy seed, substantial seed has been produced by the PAU for them and their welfare, he told.