{"id":309079,"date":"2024-09-02T20:58:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T15:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=309079"},"modified":"2024-09-02T20:58:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T15:28:43","slug":"new-scheme-to-help-farmers-move-away-from-paddy-cultivation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-scheme-to-help-farmers-move-away-from-paddy-cultivation\/","title":{"rendered":"New scheme to help farmers move away from paddy cultivation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: The post new scheme to help farmers move away from paddy cultivation has been created, based on the article \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to help Haryana and Punjab move away from paddy to less water-guzzling crops<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d published in \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indian Express<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d on 2nd August 2024<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UPSC Syllabus Topic: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GS Paper <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013 Major Crops \u2013 Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Context<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: The article discusses a new scheme by the Centre and Punjab government to encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy to less water-demanding crops. It suggests increasing incentives and ensuring reliable procurement for alternative crops to ensure success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For detailed information on <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shift in Cropping Patterns<\/span><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/shift-in-cropping-patterns\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">read this article here<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the New Scheme Introduced by the Centre and Punjab Government?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The Centre and Punjab government have launched a new scheme to help farmers move away from paddy cultivation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> This scheme offers an incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare to farmers who switch to less water-demanding crops during the kharif season.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The scheme covers up to five hectares per beneficiary and is funded in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the Punjab government, with a total cost of Rs 289.87 crore for 2024-25.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the Benefits of Moving Away from Paddy?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Water Conservation:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Paddy requires 20-25 irrigations, whereas pulses, oilseeds, and millets need less than four irrigations. This shift can help conserve groundwater, crucial since 87% of Punjab\u2019s 153 blocks are over-exploited.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Environmental Protection:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Paddy emits 5 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, contributing to climate change. Reducing paddy cultivation can lower greenhouse gas emissions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pollution Reduction:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Shifting from paddy can decrease stubble burning, a major pollution source.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Economic Stability:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Diversification could earn farmers up to four carbon credits per hectare, opening carbon market opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the Challenges in Implementation?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Inadequate Incentives:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The current incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare is insufficient when compared to the subsidy of Rs 38,973 per hectare that paddy farmers receive, making paddy far more profitable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Short-term Policy Duration:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The uncertainty whether the Rs 17,500 incentive is for a year or more poses a risk. Longer-term incentives are needed for sustainable change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Lack of Guaranteed Procurement:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Unlike paddy, there&#8217;s no assured procurement for alternative crops like pulses and oilseeds, increasing market risks for farmers switching crops.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What Should be Done?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Ensure assured procurement of alternative crops like pulses and oilseeds at MSP by NAFED, reducing market risks for farmers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Redirect the savings from reduced subsidies on power, canal water, and fertilisers to fund this transition, potentially freeing up Rs 13,150 crore by reducing paddy procurement costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Encourage a market-oriented, cluster-based approach for high-value horticulture crops, engaging Farmer Producer Organisations in export-focused initiatives, especially in West Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Question for practice:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Examine<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> the key challenges and potential solutions in the implementation of the new scheme by the Centre and Punjab government to encourage farmers to shift from paddy cultivation to less water-demanding crops.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Source: The post new scheme to help farmers move away from paddy cultivation has been created, based on the article \u201cHow to help Haryana and Punjab move away from paddy to less water-guzzling crops\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 2nd August 2024\u00a0 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3\u2013 Major Crops \u2013 Cropping Patterns in various&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-scheme-to-help-farmers-move-away-from-paddy-cultivation\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">New scheme to help farmers move away from paddy cultivation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,12002],"tags":[218,216,10500],"class_list":["post-309079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-agriculture","tag-agriculture","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-indian-express","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=309079"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309079\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=309079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}