Punjab farmers to get 50 percent subsidy on certified wheat seeds
The Punjab government has launched a Rs 50 crore scheme to provide 50 percent subsidy to farmers on certified wheat seeds. According to Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, it will benefit over 2.42 lakh farmers in the state.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has announced a Rs 50 crore scheme to provide certified wheat seeds to farmers at a 50 percent subsidy. Under this scheme, the upper limit of financial assistance has been fixed at a maximum of Rs 2,000 per hectare.
The Agriculture Minister stated that this scheme will benefit 2,42,218 farmers across the state. Its purpose is to provide standard seeds to farmers at cheaper rates and help them prepare usable seeds in their own fields for the future.
According to the Minister, certified wheat seed priced at Rs 4,250 per क्विंटल will be provided to eligible farmers at Rs 2,250 per quintal after deducting the subsidy at the time of purchase itself. This assistance will be given on the basis of 50 percent of the cost or Rs 2,000 per hectare, whichever is less.
This scheme is being implemented under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission of the Krishonnati Yojana. To avail the benefit of the scheme, farmers will have to visit their district or block agriculture office with their Aadhaar card and get registered on the agrimachinerypb.com portal. Identity verification will be done through an Aadhaar-linked OTP.
Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said that this subsidy will only be available on varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana and notified by ICAR or the Punjab government, provided those varieties are not more than 10 years old. Nodal agencies will be accountable for the quality of the seeds.
Assistance in this scheme will be given on a 'first come, first served' basis. As per the rules of the central government, there will be a two-year cooling-off period for beneficiaries, and surprise checks of seed quantities and subsidy claims will also be conducted.
Key developments
- 50 percent or maximum Rs 2,000 per hectare subsidy on certified wheat seeds
- Seed priced at Rs 4,250 per quintal will be available to farmers for Rs 2,250
- 2,42,218 farmers in the state expected to benefit from the scheme
- Registration can be done via Aadhaar on the agrimachinerypb.com portal
- Discount applicable only on PAU-recommended varieties less than 10 years old
