Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced advancement in the paddy nursery sowing and transplantation dates by 10 days. (Express file photo by Sahil Walia)

In view of labour shortage, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced advancement in the paddy nursery sowing and transplantation dates by 10 days. The operations will now commence on May 10 and June 10, respectively, instead of the May 20 fixed earlier by the Agriculture Department for sowing of paddy nursery and June 20 for paddy transplantation, during the current kharif season as recommended by PAU. The state has been delaying transplantation to reduce pressure on underground water.

The farmers had raised concerns about meeting the cultivation/sowing requirements in view of the labour shortage resulting from migrant labourers returning to their homes in view of the Covid crisis. Describing these concerns as understandable, the CM said it was in the interest of the farmers to push the dates ahead by 10 days.

Underlining the need to adopt the latest practice of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), as well as mechanised paddy transplantation technologies, the CM directed ACS (Development) Viswajeet Khanna to harness the services of the extension staff of agriculture department to provide all technical support to the farmers. The farmers should be helped in making effective use of paddy transplanters and DSR machinery, he said, adding that this advanced technology would be instrumental in filling the gap created by shortage of migrant labour. Further, to facilitate the farmers in ensuring timely transplantation of paddy, Captain Amarinder also directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to make necessary arrangements for facilitating uninterrupted power supply to agriculture sector.

Khanna said. local labour was expected to take up farm jobs during paddy transplantation, as had been the case in the wheat procurement operations.