Subsidy on laying underground pipes for irrigation in Punjab

AMRITSAR: The Punjab government will bear 50 per cent of expenses incurred by farmers on laying underground pipes for irrigation as part of its initiative to conserve underground water.

Commissioner Agriculture cum Chief Conservator, Punjab, Balwinder Singh Sidhu in a release said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is desirous of encouraging farmers towards crop diversification. Farmers should sow cash crops/ easily marketable commercial crops in the available small tracts of land, instead of wheat/paddy, and thereby conserve ground water, he added.

He said the Chief Minister has travelled far and wide and observed the agricultural practices in other countries and has even deliberated upon best agricultural practices with the experts.

"So, it has been decided that Punjab Government will extend a subsidy of 50 per cent to the farmers for laying underground pipes for irrigation," he said.

Sidhu said this technique of irrigation saves up to 25 per cent of water and the crop yield goes up by 20 per cent more.

It is an ideal method to come out of wheat - paddy cycle and move towards horticulture. The underground pipes also end the dependency on irrigation canals.

He said farmers can use cement or PVC pipes as per their own choice and suggested that farmers should consult soil conservation officers in their respective districts and get detailed information about the scheme.