In a push to revitalize cotton cultivation across Punjab, the state government has set an ambitious target to expand the area under the fiber crop to at least 1.25 lakh hectares during the current year. This initiative is coupled with the reintroduction of a key subsidy program offering a 33% reduction on the cost of BT cotton hybrid seeds officially recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
The subsidy, initially rolled out in 2023, is specifically designed to benefit farmers cultivating cotton on up to five acres of land. The move comes as Punjab has witnessed a significant contraction in its cotton acreage over recent years, dropping from 2.68 lakh hectares in the 2018-19 period to just 0.97 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
State Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian announced that the Punjab government has allocated ₹20 crore to fully fund this subsidy program. The primary objective is to alleviate the financial burden on cotton farmers while simultaneously encouraging the adoption of high-yielding, pest-resistant BT cotton varieties recommended by agricultural experts. This, in turn, aims to deter the use of non-approved seed types.
Khudian highlighted the strategic importance of cotton, particularly in the southwestern districts of Punjab. He described it as a crucial Kharif season alternative to paddy, a crop known for its high water requirements. Promoting cotton cultivation is seen as a vital step towards agricultural diversification and fostering economic growth within the state. He urged farmers to capitalize on this support mechanism and opt for the recommended seed varieties, emphasizing that the subsidy is a critical component in achieving crop diversity and ensuring the prosperity of the cotton sector.
Providing further details on the program’s implementation, Basant Garg, the administrative secretary of the agriculture department, stated that the subsidy is capped at a maximum of five acres or ten packets of cotton seeds per farmer, with each packet weighing 475 grams. He urged farmers to ensure they receive original invoices for all their BT cotton seed purchases. Additionally, department officials have been directed to conduct regular monitoring and inspections to prevent the infiltration of counterfeit seeds from neighbouring states. Garg issued a stern warning that any failure to strictly enforce these regulations would result in stringent action.
