DW Bureau |Chandigarh: Expressing deep concern over pest attacks especially Pink Bollworm and whitefly attack on cotton crop, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Thursday, sought Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan's personal intervention in speeding research and approval to the Next Generation BG-3 cotton seeds. 

The Punjab Agriculture Minister, who called on the Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, apprised that current generation BG-2 cotton need to be changed by an advanced seed to make this crop resistant to pest attacks. 

Meanwhile, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian thanked Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan for granting approval to State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA) as this Authority would be a boon to strengthen the planning, monitoring, evaluating, research and development in the field of agriculture in the state. 

The Punjab Agriculture Minister also apprised the Union Minister about the agrarian concerns of the state including implementation of Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, release of funds under RKVY, incentives to manage paddy straw and consistent & continuous supply of fertilisers and subsidy on wheat seed replacement scheme. 

Raising the major concern of the state regarding CRM scheme, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the Central Government has changed the funding pattern of CRM scheme to 60:40 (Centre:State) in FY 2023-24, which was earlier 100 per cent centrally sponsored. He urged the Union Agriculture Minister to reinstate the 100% central funding for the CRM scheme keeping in view the contribution of Punjab to national food security. He also sought incentive on per acre basis as compensation to farmers in lieu of the additional cost to be incurred on management of paddy straw.  

The Punjab Minister also brought into the notice of Sh. Chouhan that shortage of phosphatic fertilisers generally occurs during the Rabi season, and appealed him to direct the concerned authorities to ensure the continuous supply of phosphatic fertilisers in this season.

Adding further, S. Khudian said that about Rs 20 Crore are being invested annually under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme as per the ICAR policy to replace 33% seed every year. "However, the Gol has stopped this assistance on wheat seed, which need to be continued for the larger interest of feeding the ever-increasing population of the country" said Punjab Agriculture Minister.

Special Chief Secretary Agriculture Mr. KAP Sinha, Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh other senior officials of the department and ministry were also present in the meeting.