Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Vows to Safeguard Farmers’ Rights, Save Groundwater, and Make Agriculture Profitable

In a heartfelt address to the farming community of Punjab during the Sarkar Kisan Milni held in Ludhiana, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to farmers’ welfare and sustainable agricultural reform. As thousands of farmers gathered to engage directly with their elected leadership, the Chief Minister made it clear—his government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the state’s agricultural community and is determined to reshape Punjab’s agrarian future.

CM Mann described the Kisan Milni not just as an official event but as a deeply personal moment that connects him to his roots and the soil of Punjab. Emphasizing that Punjab has always been the food bowl of India, contributing 45% to the national food pool, he voiced serious concerns over the unsustainable rate at which groundwater is being depleted. The paddy crop alone, he warned, demands an alarming volume of water—equivalent to nine Gobind Sagar Lakes during just 70 days of the cultivation season. He cited that producing a single kilogram of paddy consumes 4000 litres of water, a reality that poses a dangerous risk to future generations.

In a significant move towards sustainability, the Chief Minister announced a new zonal model for paddy cultivation to begin from June 1. The state has been divided into three distinct zones with staggered sowing dates—June 1, June 5, and June 9—across various districts. This decision is not only aimed at reducing the stress on the power grid during peak agricultural seasons but also designed to prevent losses that farmers incur due to high moisture content during the paddy procurement phase in October.

CM Mann further revealed the government’s intent to phase out the highly water-intensive Pussa 44 variety of paddy. Highlighting its excessive water demands—up to 64 lakh litres per acre and a cultivation duration of 152 days—he pointed out the massive financial burden it places both on the state (Rs 7,500 per acre for electricity) and the farmers (approximately Rs 19,000 per acre in total expenditure). The aim, he said, is to encourage a shift toward sustainable varieties and agricultural practices.

The Chief Minister reassured farmers that during the upcoming paddy season, they will receive a minimum of eight hours of uninterrupted power supply. In canal-irrigated areas, this power will be provided at night to maximize efficiency and equity. He also slammed previous governments for failing to utilize Punjab’s extensive canal infrastructure, which left many tail-end farmers without access to water. In contrast, his administration has revitalized over 15,947 water courses, increasing canal water usage from a mere 21% to an impressive 75%, bringing vital irrigation to even the remotest villages.

Mann emphasized that canal water, enriched with natural minerals, not only reduces pressure on groundwater but also improves soil fertility, thus promoting more sustainable agriculture. He expressed satisfaction that these efforts are already bearing fruit, with a Union government report indicating a one-metre rise in Punjab’s groundwater levels.

Turning to future strategies, the Chief Minister expressed the government’s strong focus on crop diversification. He outlined the urgent need to wean farmers off the traditional wheat-paddy cycle by offering better marketing avenues and Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for alternative crops like maize. He also assured farmers that there would be no shortage or black marketing of essential fertilizers like DAP and urea during the season.

Mann acknowledged the financial pressures and diminishing returns that have pushed many farmers to the brink, reiterating that his administration views agriculture not as a burden but as a backbone of the state’s economy. He called upon farmers to actively participate in policy-making processes and to see themselves as equal stakeholders in shaping Punjab’s agricultural roadmap. The Sarkar Kisan Milni, he said, was a deliberate effort to bridge the communication gap between policymakers and those who work the fields.

Punjab, the CM proudly stated, contributes nearly 80% of India’s total Basmati rice production. To further boost this segment, he encouraged farmers across the state to adopt Basmati cultivation, assuring them that the government would ensure fair and assured pricing, along with every possible support to prevent economic losses. This initiative, he noted, would not only enhance the income of farmers but also reduce water consumption, giving a much-needed boost to both environmental and economic sustainability.

As he concluded, Bhagwant Mann’s message was unambiguous—the Aam Aadmi Party government stands with the farmers of Punjab, not just in words but through policy, action, and accountability. He urged the agricultural community to join hands with the state in this mission to make farming not only viable but truly profitable, while preserving Punjab’s most precious natural resources for generations to come.

#PunjabFarmers #CMBhagwantMann #SarkarKisanMilni #PaddyCultivation2025 #GroundwaterConservation #BasmatiRevolution