Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
The Punjab government has announced a ₹50-crore assistance scheme to provide farmers with quality certified wheat seeds at subsidised rates ahead of the sowing season. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said on Sunday that eligible farmers would receive up to 50% subsidy on certified wheat seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The maximum assistance has been fixed at ₹2,000 per hectare. The scheme aims to benefit 2,42,218 farmers across the state.
According to the minister, certified wheat seeds priced at ₹4,250 per quintal will be available to eligible farmers for ₹2,250 per quintal after the subsidy is adjusted at the time of purchase. However, the actual assistance will be limited to 50% of the seed cost or ₹2,000 per hectare, whichever is lower. The initiative aims to make quality seeds more accessible and reduce farmers’ expenditure while preparing for the wheat sowing season.
The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has worked out district-wise requirements and beneficiary targets. The scheme will be implemented under the Seed Component of the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), which operates under the Krishonnati Yojana. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the targets and availability allocated for each district and block.
Aadhaar and OTP Verification Required for Applications
Farmers seeking the subsidy will need to contact their respective district or block agriculture offices. They must carry their Aadhaar cards and complete the application process through the designated portal, www.agrimachinerypb.com. Applicants’ identities will be verified through a one-time password (OTP) sent to their Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers.
To maintain seed quality, the subsidy will apply only to certified wheat varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and notified by ICAR or the Punjab government. The varieties must fall within the prescribed 10-year age limit. Nodal agencies responsible for seed multiplication and supply will be held accountable for quality, and complaints will be addressed by the concerned agencies.
The department has also introduced safeguards to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of public funds. Beneficiary records, seed quantities and subsidy details must be properly maintained. A two-year cooling-off period for beneficiaries will apply in accordance with Government of India guidelines. Before final approval, the department will conduct random checks of beneficiaries and verify the quantities of seeds supplied and the subsidy amounts claimed.
The minister urged farmers to follow the prescribed online application procedure and rely only on official departmental communications for information about the scheme.
