{"id":130128,"date":"2024-09-05T20:05:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T14:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=editorial-analysis&#038;p=130128"},"modified":"2024-09-06T18:30:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T13:00:57","slug":"paddy-to-less-water-guzzling-crops","status":"publish","type":"editorial-analysis","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/paddy-to-less-water-guzzling-crops","title":{"rendered":"How to help Haryana and Punjab move away from paddy to less water-guzzling crops"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, the Centre and the government of Punjab devised a plan to incentivize farmers with Rs 17,500 per hectare, covering up to five hectares per beneficiary, to shift from paddy cultivation to less water-intensive crops. The aim is to conserve resources and promote sustainable agriculture by encouraging crops like pulses and edible oils.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Current Initiatives<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Punjab Scheme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Farmers are offered Rs 17,500 per hectare to switch to less water-consuming crops. The scheme is funded in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the Punjab government and covers up to five hectares per beneficiary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Haryana Scheme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A similar scheme exists, but the incentives provided haven&#8217;t bridged the profitability gap between paddy and alternative crops <\/span><b>like pulses, oilseeds, and millets.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the results have not been promising, as growing paddy is more beneficial due to the higher subsidies provided, such as free water, electricity, and procurement assurance. For example, recent research at <\/span><b>ICRIER<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows that Punjab farmers received Rs 38,973\/ha in 2023-24 as subsidies for power, canal water, and fertiliser consumption.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>The Challenges<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Profitability Gap<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Paddy farmers in Punjab received Rs 38,973\/ha in subsidies (power, canal water, fertilisers) in 2023-24, making paddy far more profitable than alternative crops.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>No Market Guarantee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: There is no guaranteed market for alternative crops, which discourages farmers from switching.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Benefits of Diversification<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Environmental Impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Diversification could help mitigate groundwater depletion, as paddy requires a minimum of 20-25 irrigations compared to less than four irrigations for pulses, oilseeds, and millets.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ove<\/span><b>r 87% of Punjab\u2019s blocks are over-exploited or critical in terms of water levels,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> according to a 2023 study by the Central Ground Water Board. Shifting to less water-intensive crops will contribute to long-term sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Paddy cultivation produces 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare, contributing to climate change.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rice stubble burning, a major contributor to pollution, especially in winter, could also be reduced.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successful implementation of this scheme would have a positive impact on agricultural sustainability in both the states and the country at large.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prevention of Soil Degradation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Shifting away from paddy will also help prevent soil degradation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Recommendations<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Subsidy Re-alignment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: To make diversification feasible, the incentive should be at least Rs 35,000\/ha, double the current amount. This would not add any additional fiscal burden but would redirect existing subsidies from paddy to other crops.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, the subsidy currently provided for paddy cultivation could be saved and redirected to support other crops through smart planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Long-term Implementation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The incentive program should run for at least five years to ensure stable savings in the subsidy bill and allow farmers to transition without significant profit loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Market Assurance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Farmers benefit from assured paddy procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). To encourage diversification, similar procurement guarantees for pulses and oilseeds should be provided through agencies like NAFED at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), otherwise, farmers may be reluctant to grow these crops due to fears of not being able to sell them at MSP.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purchasing alternative crops at MSP to provide a reliable market for farmers who choose diversification will not add extra costs for the government.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, the FCI bought 92.5% of the rice produced in Punjab at MSP during 2023-24. Redirecting this support towards other crops could free up funds set aside for paddy purchases.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transitioning one million hectares from paddy cultivation could free up approximately Rs 13,150 crore in paddy procurement costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stabilisation Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The savings from reduced paddy procurement could be used to create a stabilisation fund, ensuring that agencies like NAFED, CCI, or FCI purchase pulses, oilseeds, cotton, millets, and even kharif maize at MSPs. This would help mitigate market risks for non-paddy crops and more farmers will be encouraged to shift to other crops.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A well-coordinated effort between the Centre and state governments, like Punjab and Haryana, supported by restructured subsidies and market assurance, can effectively shift farmers away from water-guzzling paddy to more sustainable alternatives. The long-term benefits include environmental conservation, financial savings, and enhanced agricultural sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100.029%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 137.915%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Must Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Editorials<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.3796%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.3796%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.3796%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Test Series 2024<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.3796%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Main Answer Writing<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 137.915%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recently, the Centre and the government of Punjab devised a plan to incentivize farmers with Rs 17,500 per hectare, covering up to five hectares per beneficiary, to shift from paddy cultivation to less water-intensive crops. The aim is to conserve resources and promote sustainable agriculture by encouraging crops like pulses and edible oils. Current Initiatives&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/paddy-to-less-water-guzzling-crops\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to help Haryana and Punjab move away from paddy to less water-guzzling crops<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":130248,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2089],"subject":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/130128"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/editorial-analysis"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130128"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/130128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130152,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/130128\/revisions\/130152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/130248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130128"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=130128"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=130128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}