Farming Crisis: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state government will not purchase the Pusa-44 paddy variety, which has been banned due to its high water consumption and substantial stubble production. He stated that farmers sowing this variety do so at their own risk, as the government will not procure it.
Mann has instead encouraged farmers to opt for shorter-duration varieties like PR-126, PR-127, PR-128, or PR-129, which are less water-intensive and produce less stubble. This decision aligns with the Punjab agriculture department’s official ban on the cultivation and sale of Pusa-44, effective from May 2024, to address groundwater depletion and environmental concerns.
Farming Crisis: The Punjab government announced to delay the sowing of paddy last year, which was widely supported by the farmers. After which the farmers accepted the Chief Minister’s advice, after wheat, moong/maize was cultivated on a large scale. After which 50-60% cultivation was done with PAU and PR-126 paddy recommended by the Punjab government.
When the paddy crop was ready, a tussle started between the sheller owners and the state government. When the paddy arrived in the markets, the traders raised a fuss that PR-126 paddy had more broken rice, due to which they bought paddy below the fixed rate. An even bigger problem was that for the first time in the last 15-20 years, farmers had to stay in the market for 5-7 days to sell paddy and the paddy was purchased with a moisture content of less than 18. Due to which the farmers who sowed paddy like PR-126 suffered an estimated loss of 2-3 quintals per acre. After which the farmers were disillusioned with paddy like PR-126.
The Punjab government and the Chief Minister, in view of the high moisture content in the paddy crop like PR 126 last year, fixed the sowing time of paddy 10-15 days earlier than the previous year. After which the government and the institutions were hopeful that the area of short-duration paddy would increase. Meanwhile, the government strictly banned the sale of Pusa-44, Yellow Pusa, Dogar Pusa, No-1 and hybrid paddy.
Due to the conditions of the previous year and the advance sowing time, there was a large demand for Pusa-44, Yellow Pusa, Dogar Pusa, No-1 in the markets. Under the noses of the government and the agriculture department, farmers purchased the above varieties at Rs 100-150 per kg and sowed seedlings.
After 15-20 days of sowing the seedlings, a statement was issued by the Chief Minister yesterday that we will not purchase paddy varieties like Pusa-44, Yellow Pusa, Dogar Pusa, No-1, after which a major crisis has arisen for the farmers.
In Punjab, India, the primary focus of crop bans has centered around specific paddy varieties, particularly Pusa-44, due to environmental concerns like groundwater depletion and stubble burning. However, other crops and agricultural practices have also faced restrictions or proposed bans in Punjab, driven by sustainability, health, or economic considerations.
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Farming Crisis: Below is an overview of the banned or restricted Varieties of Paddy in Punjab based on available information:
Hybrid Paddy Varieties:Status: In April 2025, Punjab banned 10 hybrid paddy varieties, including Pusa-44, Yellow Pusa, Dogar Pusa, No-1, due to their high water consumption and issues with milling quality (e.g., higher broken rice percentages). The Federation of Seed Industry of India has challenged this ban, citing benefits like higher yields and water savings, with a court hearing pending.
• Reason: These varieties exacerbate Punjab’s groundwater crisis and produce lower-quality rice, impacting procurement and milling standards.
• Long-Duration Paddy Varieties: The Punjab Agriculture Policy 2023 and its 2024 draft recommend banning long-duration paddy varieties in areas with severe water stress, particularly in 15 “dark blocks” where water extraction exceeds recharge by 300%.
Reason: These varieties contribute significantly to groundwater depletion and stubble burning due to their extended growth cycles and high water requirements. The policy promotes alternative crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables.