Punjab bans Pusa-44, hybrid paddy varieties to ‘save water, environment’; experts, farmers question effectiveness

According to the notification, the ban aligns with recommendations of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), which has been promoting water-efficient and environment-friendly farming practices. PAU experts have advocated for the cultivation of low-water-consuming paddy varieties such as PR 126 through direct seeding, which also require less time to mature. These changes are “vital” in reversing the growing groundwater crisis in Punjab.

Environmental damage is one of the primary reasons for the ban on Pusa-44, experts said. Additionally, the post-harvest stubble production severely impacts air quality and increases accident risk due to smoke. Stubble burning has become a major concern in Punjab as it harms the environment and the people.

The government move also addresses the economic burden on farmers, the notification said. Pusa-44 is highly susceptible to blight and sap-sucking insects, forcing farmers to use expensive insecticides and pesticides. This, in turn, increases the overall cost of cultivation, as well as contributes to soil, water, and air pollution. The notification also highlighted that hybrid paddy varieties are expensive and often fail to meet quality standards set by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), leading to lower market prices for farmers — a financial strain.

The Punjab Agricultural Department, meanwhile, has urged farmers across the state to follow the guidelines to ensure compliance with the new policies.

Many experts, however, said that as the Punjab government has advanced the date of paddy transplantation from June 10 to June 1, many farmers will opt for the long-term paddy varieties, including Pusa-44, as they will get “enough time” for cultivation. They also raised concerns about the state government “taking all contradictory measures”.

On the date of paddy sowing being advanced, Gurbakhshish, a farmer from Patiala, said: “The government’s decision to ban Pusa-44 would not be effective as many Haryana-based farmers have already sold Pusa-44 seeds to Punjab, where there are no penalties or ban on the same.”

As far as hybrid seeds are concerned, the ban is very unfortunate because the state has not been focusing on following science or data, but only the narratives of millers, Ajai Rana said. He is the chairman of Federation of Seed Industry of India, and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds Private Limited.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Rana asserted: “The cultivation of hybrid rice is a proven technology to increase productivity, while using lesser natural resources such as water, fertiliser and time. The US and China produce hybrid rice over nearly 60-65% of the total cultivation area, with an average productivity of 9 and 7.5 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/ha), respectively, against the average productivity of 4.3 MT/ha in India. The new-generation hybrid crops released in Punjab also see an average productivity of 8.5-9.5 MT/ha within 125-130 days, leading to 20-25% water saving. By selling hybrid rice, Punjab farmers earn Rs 10,000-12,000 more, as compared to PAU varieties.”

“Hybrid rice is grown over nearly 30% of the cultivation area in Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. If the seed of hybrid paddy varieties are not available in Punjab, farmers will buy them from other states, leading to a revenue loss for seed dealers and trade in Punjab… Due to misinformation by millers, regarding the low milling recovery of hybrid rice, the ban on Pusa-44 and hybrid paddy varieties is not in the interest of Punjab farmers or the environment,” Rana told The Indian Express.

Farmers under the leadership of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) said they will organise a protest at the deputy commissioner’s office in Mansa Tuesday against the ban on hybrid paddy varieties.

On Monday, during the Kisan mela in Muktsar Sahib, farmers questioned Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, the chief guest at the event, over the ban on hybrid varieties. Farmers Rupinder Singh and Baljit Singh said 70 per cent of the land in their region has poor quality underground water, making it necessary to grow hybrid varieties. They argued that the ban restricts their ability to cultivate these crops.

The farmers emphasised that these varieties must be allowed, and the government should purchase them at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). They said they have been growing these varieties for the past four to five years without any issues over the quality of rice.