Punjab Announces 50% Subsidy on Certified Wheat Seed: Rs 2,250 a Quintalਪੰਜਾਬ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਣਿਤ ਕਣਕ ਬੀਜ 'ਤੇ 50 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਸਬਸਿਡੀ, 2,250 ਰੁਪਏ ਕੁਇੰਟਲ

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Sunday, 25 October, announced a Rs 50-crore scheme under which farmers will get certified wheat seed at almost half price, just as the rabi sowing season gets under way.

What does the scheme offer?

Certified wheat seed priced at Rs 4,250 per quintal will be sold to farmers at Rs 2,250 per quintal, after a subsidy of Rs 2,000 per quintal is adjusted upfront at the time of purchase, Khudian said in a statement. The assistance is capped at 50 per cent of the seed cost or Rs 2,000 per hectare, whichever is lower. The stated aim is to give farmers quality seed and help them build their own farm-saved seed stock for the next season.

Which seed and which farmers qualify?

The subsidy applies only to certified varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and notified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) or the Punjab government that are up to 10 years old, according to the statement as reported by PTI and The Tribune. The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has projected district-wise requirements to cover 2,42,218 beneficiaries, with a proposed outlay of Rs 50 crore.

How is it funded?

The scheme will be carried out under the seed component of the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) within the Krishonnati Yojana, the minister said.

What does it mean for farmers?

Seed is one of the first costs a wheat grower faces each November, and a reduction of Rs 2,000 a quintal lowers that outlay noticeably, though the per-hectare cap means the benefit per farmer is limited. The announcement comes as the state is also dealing with stubble management after paddy harvest, which farmers must finish before sowing wheat. How and where the subsidised seed will be distributed, and the cut-off dates, were not detailed in the reports reviewed.

How much is the wheat seed subsidy in Punjab?

Rs 2,000 per quintal, so certified seed priced at Rs 4,250 per quintal costs Rs 2,250. It is capped at 50 per cent of cost or Rs 2,000 per hectare, whichever is less.

Which wheat varieties are covered?

Certified varieties recommended by PAU Ludhiana and notified by ICAR or the Punjab government, up to 10 years old.

How many farmers will benefit?

The department has projected 2,42,218 beneficiaries under the Rs 50-crore outlay.