-WOMEN/SMALL & MARGINAL FARMERS TO GET 50 PERCENT AND OTHERS 40 PERCENT-KAHAN SINGH PANNU

-SEEKS APPLICATIONS FROM FARMERS TILL MAY 10

CHANDIGARH, MAY 5: With a view to encouraging mechanized  transplantation/direct sowing of paddy and cultivation of maize during Kharif season, the Punjab Government has decided to provide subsidy upto 50% on purchase of machinery used for this purpose, which will immensely benefit the state in saving ground water  and helping the farmers to tackle the problem of labour scarcity amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Disclosing this here today Secretary Agriculture Kahan Singh Pannu said that 50% subsidy would be provided to women/ scheduled castes and 40% to other farmers.

The Secretary further said that farmers had been asked to submit their applications to avail the benefit of subsidy on machinery required for paddy and maize cultivation till 10 May.

He further informed that the machinery on which subsidy would be given include direct seeding of rice machines with or without   spray attachment, paddy nursery sowing machines, paddy transplanting machines and equipments used for maize sowing, threshing and drying.

Giving details of the procedure for getting subsidy, the Secretary said that the Agriculture Department had simplified the entire process to facilitate the farmers to avail maximum advantage of the subsidy in view of the COVID-19 restrictions. He said that the farmers could submit their applications directly to the field officers on a simple paper, through e-mail or Whatsapp.

      Pannu further pointed out that the farmers interested to avail the benefit of subsidy could get more information at toll free no 1800-180-1551 of ‘Kisan Call Centre’ from 6 am to 10 pm.