Punjab to pay 5,000 rupee/ha subsidy on maize farm input this kharif.

In order to encourage farmers to grow maize instead of paddy and check the fall in ground water level, the Punjab government has announced a subsidy on farm inputs for the coarse grain in 2018-19 (Jul-Jun) kharif season. The state government has also announced a subsidy of 120 rupees per kg on purchase of maize seeds. The state government is promoting cultivation of maize in place of paddy under the crop diversification scheme. Groundwater level in 32% area of the state has fallen below 20 mtr from 2 mtr in 2000.