Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the country remains indebted to the farmers of Punjab for their immense contribution in eliminating hunger and making India self-reliant in food production through the Green Revolution.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha while responding to a question raised by Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu, the Union Minister emphasized the importance of promoting millet cultivation to address agricultural and environmental challenges in Punjab.
Chouhan highlighted that Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, had advocated the use of millets as early as the 15th century. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly understood the nutritional and environmental significance of millets and has been actively promoting their cultivation across the country.
During Question Hour, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu asked about government policies aimed at increasing the area under millet cultivation in Punjab. The initiative is part of broader efforts to diversify cropping patterns and reduce dependence on water-intensive crops such as paddy.
Sandhu pointed out that Punjab is currently facing a serious ecological challenge due to the wheat-paddy crop cycle. Out of the state’s total geographical area of 50 lakh hectares, nearly 40 lakh hectares are cultivable land, with 99 percent under irrigation. More than 75 percent of agricultural land is occupied by the wheat-paddy cycle, which requires excessive groundwater usage.
As a result, over 80 percent of Punjab’s groundwater blocks have been categorized as “dark zones,” indicating severe water depletion.
Responding to these concerns, the Agriculture Minister informed the House that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing multiple schemes to promote crop diversification. Under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSM), millet cultivation is being encouraged across 28 states and two Union Territories.
For Punjab, the Centre has approved ₹31.60 lakh during 2025-26 to promote millet cultivation under the NFSM scheme. Additionally, certified millet seeds totaling 140 quintals have been distributed during the same period.
The Minister further announced that under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) crop diversification programme, the government has approved ₹103.75 crore for 2025-26. The funds aim to encourage Punjab farmers to shift from traditional crops toward millets, pulses, oilseeds, and other alternative crops.
The government believes that crop diversification and increased millet cultivation will help conserve groundwater, improve soil health, and ensure sustainable agricultural growth in Punjab.
