Free Wheat Seeds Initiative: This year, the country has experienced heavy rains in most of its states, which damaged the crops of the farmers, causing losses. The Punjab Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has also announced a special subsidy on wheat seeds to farmers in Punjab to help farmers cope with the losses that they experienced in the previous season of Rabi 2024-25. The scheme will guarantee sowing of wheat in the state and will assist the farmers who were hit by the flooding.
According to the Chief Agriculture Officer, Dr Jaswinder Singh, the farmers will receive a subsidy of Rupees 2,000 per quintal on wheat seeds this year. Moreover, farmers who have been affected by floods will also be given free seeds of up to two hectares. Such an initiative will help the flood-affected farmers to plant the Rabi crops in time and reduce crop losses.
Free Wheat Seeds: Check Eligible Varieties and Registration Process
Unless the varieties of wheat recommended by Punjab Agricultural University, including PBW 826, PBW 869, PBW 824, PBW 803, DBW 222, etc., the scheme will not be available. According to the scheme, all farmers will be given a subsidy of not more than one hectare, and farmers who are affected by floods will also be given free one hectare of seeds.
What are the preparations to ensure seed supply?
The Punjab government has been reaching out to different agencies to have a sufficient supply of wheat seeds. Assuming the need arose, Mohinder Singh Sidhu, the president of PUNSEED, added that even tenders would be issued to buy more stock with the help of the private dealers. He placed an order to the Punjab Agricultural University, the National Seed Corporation and IFFCO to write the number of wheat seeds that they can supply. This will make sure that all the farmers get their seeds in time and nothing will hinder the sowing.
Key Wheat Varieties and Scope of the Scheme
In this scheme, PBW 826, PBW 869, PBW 824, PBW 803, DBW 222, DBW 187, HD 3226, and HD 3086 will be supplied to the farmers based on the recommendation of PAU. PUNSEED will also serve as the point of distribution of free seeds to the farmers affected by the floods. The state government is also intending to give out wheat seeds worth Rs 74 crore to satisfy the sowing requirements of about 5 lakh acres of agricultural land that has been widely destroyed by the floods. This program will entail giving financial and material support to the farmers as they get ready to plant.
Farmers’ Hope and Relief
In Punjab, floods have brought about huge destruction, with the paddy crop being virtually wiped out. As a result, farmers are concerned with wheat planting during the Rabi season. This government program will give them the assurance and economic relief in the cultivation of wheat. Moreover, this plan will assist in stabilising agricultural production in the state, as well as restoring the wheat production in Punjab to its former levels. The government is also guaranteeing that Rabi cultivation is going on well, even in the flood-prone regions, by giving sufficient seeds to farmers.
Where should farmers register to receive free seeds?
Dr Singh advised farmers to enrol before the deadline on the official portal of the department, which is amid agrimachinal.pb.com. The subsidised or free seeds will only be availed to farmers who are certified by the department. The number of free seeds will be given to the farmers who are registered by the district administration in the areas affected by floods. Dr Jaswinder Singh maintained that farmers needed to make the most of the scheme by registering on the portal in good time. He also said that this will not just benefit farmers, but it will also increase the capacity to produce wheat in the state.
Farmers should register on time and avail themselves of subsidised and free seeds.
Farmers are expected to be registered in time and get subsidised and free seeds. This project will not just benefit the farmers who will be affected by floods, but it will also enhance the production of wheat and food security in the state. Therefore, this Punjab government scheme will be a significant move towards empowering and transforming the farmers into self-reliant farmers in the Rabi 2025-26 season.
