The Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh today asserted that Punjab peasantry would get 8 hours uninterrupted power supply from June 15 in ensuing paddy sowing season.While reviewing the prior arrangements for sowing of crops in Kharif season, Jathedar Tota Singh said Punjab has taken all necessary arrangements to ensure uninterrupted 8 hours power supply to peasantry. He said that this system of providing uninterrupted power will become fully operational from June 15. He said that instructions in this regard have been issued to Power Corporation. He said that if there would be any change in the supply of power schedule, the village sarpanches, panches and agriculture officers of various districts will inform the farmers well in time.
Issuing strict directions to all Chief Agriculture Officers, District Agriculture Officers and other senior officers concerned of the department Jathedar Tota Singh instructed them to ensure completion of all arrangements before commencement of kharif season. He said that there were more than 70 percent of Urea and 60 percent of DAP available in the state. He asked the officers that there should be no scarcity of these fertilisers at any cost. He also instructed the officers to ensure the fair distribution of fertilisers besides launching state wide campaign to educate farmers about the reasonable use of fertilisers.Giving a call to state farmers to get the soils of their fields tested from the government labs in their respective areas, Jathedar Tota Singh said that farmers should be aware about the deficiency of essential ingredients in fields. He said that farmers should opt for certified seeds as the state has ample availability of seeds including paddy, maize, cotton etc.
The Minister also emphasised the need to focus Crop Diversification Program-Farm Mechanisation and Value Addition Component Scheme to witness diversification on large scale. He said that under this prestigious scheme 21576 agri-machines worth Rs. 38.10 crore have been distributed amongst farmers in the state. He also asked the officers present in the meeting to organise farmers awareness and training camps to make them aware and educate about the government policies and programmes.Prominent among others were present in the meeting Mr. Suresh Kumar, additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Mangal Singh Sandhu Directror Agriculture, S. Dipinder Singh Secretary Mandi Board, All senior Officers and all Chief Agricultural Officers.