New Delhi (Agency): Farmers in flood-affected areas of Punjab are extending a helping hand to their fellow farmers by providing free seeds to replant their damaged crops. Baldev Singh, who lost his paddy crop in the floods, is offering the PR 126 variety of paddy seeds free of cost to other farmers in need. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on flood-affected farmers who would otherwise have to spend money to purchase seeds for re-sowing. Other farmers and farmer organizations are also joining in, setting up paddy nurseries and providing support to those in need.
Kulvir Singh, another farmer from Muktsar district, has also contributed by providing more than four quintals of seed of the PB 1629 basmati variety to several farmers free of charge. Farmer organizations in Punjab are setting up paddy nurseries over 100 acres of land and offering assistance such as fodder and silage for cattle, as the floods have damaged green fodder in the affected areas.
The Punjab State Seed Corporation has set a target to distribute 3,000 quintals of paddy seeds to the flood-affected farmers, with 1,000 quintals already provided. Additionally, the agricultural department, Punseed, and Punjab Agricultural University are preparing paddy nurseries of different varieties to support the farmers in replanting their crops.
The recent heavy downpour in Punjab and Haryana caused widespread flooding, paralyzing normal life and causing significant damage to residential and agricultural areas. Although water levels have receded in many areas, relief work and repairs to embankments are still ongoing. The initiative by the farmers to support each other with free seeds reflects the spirit of solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.