With the official commencement of paddy transplantation on June 15, agricultural activities have gained momentum across Haryana as farmers have started transplanting paddy saplings in their fields.
With hopes of good yields, farmers are preparing their fields to complete transplantation within the stipulated period. Vast stretches of farmland, which were lying vacant after the harvesting of wheat, are turning green. The nurseries of different varieties of paddy have already been prepared by the farmers. Labourers can be seen transplanting paddy saplings in fields as well.
The state government has set a target of bringing around 15.60 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation this season. Karnal has been assigned the highest target of 1.85 lakh hectares, followed by Kaithal (1.65 lakh hectares), Jind (1.50 lakh hectares), Sirsa (1.45 lakh hectares), Fatehabad (1.35 lakh hectares), Kurukshetra (1.20 lakh hectares) and Hisar (1.05 lakh hectares). Other major paddy-growing districts include Yamunanagar, Ambala and Sonepat with targets of 90,000 hectares each, said data from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.
Agricultural experts estimate nearly 50 per cent of the area to be covered under parmal (PR) varieties, which are procured by the government on MSP, and the remaining 50 per cent under basmati varieties, which are procured by private traders for export and local sale.
Farmers have indicated their preference for parmal varieties such as PR-114, PR-126 and PR-131, along with hybrid varieties including PR-7501 and PR-2222. Among basmati varieties, Pusa Basmati-1509, Pusa-1121, Pusa-1718 and Pusa-1692 are witnessing significant demand.
“I have started transplantation of PR-114 on around 10 acres of land, while around 15 acres will be covered with Basmati variety PUSA-1509. The weather has been favourable so far and if rainfall occurs it will help in flooding the fields for irrigation,” said Yashbir, a farmer.
Vikas, another farmer of Indri block, has transplanted around 10 acres with Basmati variety 1509 and the rest will be transplanted in a week. “The agriculture department is guiding us regularly. We are also focusing on balanced use of fertilisers and water to reduce costs and improve productivity,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, along with scientists from various ICAR institutions, are visiting villages to educate farmers on crop management practices, judicious use of fertilisers and organic manures and water conservation techniques.
Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) Dr Wazir Singh said field staff and technical experts had been deployed to assist farmers throughout the season. “SDOs, Block Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Development Officers and technical experts are regularly visiting villages to provide all possible assistance to farmers. Karnal continues to be a leading district in paddy production. Apart from conventional transplantation, farmers are increasingly adopting Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and around 16,000 acres have already been covered under the scheme,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the transplantation process would progress smoothly and contribute significantly to Haryana’s rice production.
