CHANDIGARH - Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Sunday announced a Rs 50 crore assistance scheme (yaani Rs 500 million in total) under which farmers in the state will get certified wheat seed at almost half price ahead of the Rabi sowing season, according to a Punjab government statement reported by Bright Punjab Express and by Hindustan Times.

Source: Bright Punjab Express

Under the scheme, certified wheat seed priced at Rs 4,250 per quintal will be available to eligible farmers for Rs 2,250 per quintal, after a subsidy of Rs 2,000 per quintal is adjusted upfront at the time of purchase. The assistance is capped at 50 per cent of the seed cost or Rs 2,000 per hectare, whichever is less.

The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has projected district-wise requirements to cover 2,42,218 beneficiaries, with a total proposed financial outlay of Rs 50 crore. Khudian said the aim is to reduce farmers' input costs, improve access to quality seed and help farmers build their own farm-saved seed stock for future seasons.

Only PAU and ICAR-recommended varieties covered

The subsidy will apply only to certified wheat varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and notified by the ICAR or the Punjab government, and which are up to 10 years old. The scheme is being executed under the Seed Components of the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) under the Krishonnati Yojana, the minister said.

Source: AgriInsite / Hindustan Times

To apply, eligible farmers will have to visit their respective district or block agriculture offices with their Aadhaar cards and apply through the designated portal, agrimachinerypb.com, where their identity will be verified through an Aadhaar-linked one-time password (OTP), Khudian said.

The minister added that nodal agencies responsible for seed multiplication will be held strictly accountable for seed quality, and that complaints about quality will be addressed by the concerned nodal agency. Punjab Khabarnama and Navroze, reporting the announcement on Monday, also said the scheme is intended to make certified seed more affordable while encouraging farmers to use varieties recommended by agricultural research institutions.

Source: Punjab Khabarnama