Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, October 29-
To address the challenges of rice productivity in Punjab and ensure the rice bowl of the country retains its pride, industry leaders on Tuesday called for comprehensive review of production practices and policy framework. Urging mass adoption of high-yielding and stress-tolerant seed varieties, the industry leaders said that with a projected requirement of 136-150 million tonnes of rice by 2031, the region’s farming practices are under pressure to modernize in ways that prioritize resource conservation, food security, and farmer welfare.
Seed industry leaders had gathered to discuss pathways for sustainable rice production at a press meet organized by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) in Zirakpur, Chandigarh.
Punjab contributes close to a quarter of India’s rice production, yet the state’s agricultural practices are largely dependent on high water and fertilizer input, which are increasingly unsustainable. “Rice production in Punjab is in urgent need of a transformation,” said Ajai Rana, FSII Chairman and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds. “To meet future demand while conserving resources, sustainable rice farming must start at the seed level, with varieties designed to deliver higher yields with fewer inputs.