New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Citing the state’s 40 per cent contribution to the central wheat pool, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Tuesday urged the Centre to ensure timely and uninterrupted supply of 5.5 lakh MT of DAP and 15 lakh MT of urea for the Rabi season 2026-27.
Addressing the national conference on agriculture for Rabi season 2026, organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture at the National Agricultural Science Complex here, Khudian said the state requires 5.5 lakh MT of DAP and 15 lakh MT of Urea for sowing major Rabi crops, mainly wheat and potato, and urged the Centre to ensure timely supply of the required quantity.
Khudian mentioned that Punjab has an cultivable area of 41 lakh hectares and
contributes 40 per cent of wheat and 22 per cent of paddy to the central food grain pool.
The agriculture minister highlighted that during previous years, delays in the supply of DAP and urea by the Centre during the Rabi season caused significant difficulties for farmers.
He urged the Centre to ensure seamless supply to the state so that Punjab can maintain its contribution to the central pool.
The Punjab Agriculture Minister shared that the state was previously known for cotton cultivation, but unfavourable weather conditions led to crop damage.
He mentioned that currently, around 80,000 hectares are under cotton cultivation in Punjab, and if weather conditions remain suitable, a good yield is expected.
Khudian claimed that 90 per cent of the stubble burning problem in Punjab has been addressed through crop residue management techniques. He demanded that the central government release the next installment of Rs 150 crore immediately so that farmers can be provided with subsidised machinery to completely eliminate stubble burning. PTI SKC TRB
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