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De-notify hybrid paddy seeds to ease procurement: Bhagwant Mann to Shivraj Chouhan
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Delhi to press for de-notification of certain hybrid paddy seeds to ensure smooth procurement during the upcoming kharif season. He sought representation in the Central Seed Committee, continuation of State Level Seed Committee powers, and a wheat seed subsidy, while the Union minister promised a special committee to review the seed issue before kharif. The meeting also secured assurances on fertiliser supply and groundwater conservation.
Why It Matters
The discussion centers on seed quality and procurement processes for farmers, with potential impacts on agricultural productivity and groundwater management as Punjab diversifies crops away from the wheat-paddy cycle.
Timeline
3 Events
Wheat seed subsidy and diversification measures
May 14, 2026
Mann pressed for allocation of wheat seed subsidy under the Krishionnati Yojana for the financial year 2026-27 to improve seed replacement rates and agricultural productivity. He highlighted Punjab’s ongoing diversification away from the wheat-paddy cycle and noted groundwater concerns, including 117 of 150 blocks in the dark zone, while promoting crops such as maize, pulses, oilseeds, sunflower and bajra.
Assurances on fertiliser, groundwater, and seed governance
May 14, 2026
The Union agriculture minister assured that a special committee would be constituted to examine the seed issue before the kharif season. Mann also secured assurances on uninterrupted fertiliser supply and groundwater conservation, and sought Punjab’s representation in the Central Seed Committee and continuation of the State Level Seed Committee’s powers.
Meeting on de-notification of hybrid paddy seeds to ease procurement
May 14, 2026
During the Delhi meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann pressed for the de-notification of specific hybrid paddy seed varieties, arguing they cause higher grain breakage and lower head rice recovery during milling and do not meet Food Corporation of India quality standards, leading to procurement issues for farmers.