Haryana: More than 33k farmers abandon paddy farming, dwindling ground water largely responsible

The Haryana government has launched ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat' scheme under which the paddy farmers are being offered an incentive amount of Rs 7000 by the government to encourage them for optional farming.

Chandigarh: The Haryana government is currently running a concerted campaign to decrease paddy farming in the state, and in pursuance of the said agenda the farmers of the ‘Dark Zone’ are being encouraged towards optional farming. It is the government’s stand that the step is imminently necessary looking at the falling groundwater levels in the state.

Under the said campaign the Haryana Government has launched the ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat' scheme under which farmers are also being offered an encouragement amount of Rs 7000 by the state government. Farmer groups and opposition though are against the move.

As per Official Statistics released by the government, 33,183 farmers have, till now registered 37,109.23 hectares of land to plant crops other than paddy, on the ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat, online portal.

To plant any crop other than paddy, all a farmer has to do is to get himself/herself registered on the ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat' online portal.

Till now 6,951 farmers have decided to cultivate maize in 5,965.88 hectares of farmland. Around 5,803 farmers have decided to cultivate Bajra in 5407.48 hectares of land.

Over 16,250 farmers have registered 22,581.06 hectares for cotton, 861 farmers have signed on 653.75 hectares of the land grow pulses and 3,048 farmers have decided to grow garden crops in their fields.

What is ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat’ scheme?

As per the scheme, the farmers of the areas with lower water levels have been advised not to plant paddy. Any and every farmer signing up to leave paddy will get Rs 7000 per acre.

Maize and pulses can be grown instead of paddy. In many areas, sesame may be planted along with cotton and vegetables. Maize and pulses shall be bought by the government on Minimum Support Price(MSP). The state government shall provide the machines required for maize cultivation.

The government shall arrange Maize Dryers from Mandis.

Drip irrigation shall be subsidized up to 85% for growth of alternative crops to paddy.

Famers with the depth of the water table of up to 35 meters may apply for permission for paddy plantation.

Farmers with areas of good water levels who give up paddy shall be able to seek a grant.

Why was the scheme launched?

Farmers are being so diligently encouraged towards optional farming options because the falling water level in the state has become a matter of real concern.

On average the water level in the state has dropped to 21 meters. In June of 1974, it was 10.44 meters, which has fallen by 8.97 meters in the last 24 years.

There are 36 blocks in the state where the fall in water levels has doubled in the last 12 years. There are 19 blocks in the state with water as much as 40 meters underneath the ground, therefore to counter the falling water levels, the government has begun the ‘Mera Paani, Meri Virasat scheme.