Jalandhar: The Agriculture Department had invited applications from farmers till November 3 for providing subsidised seeds, with the onset of wheat sowing season that begins usually from the second week of November.
According to the information gathered from the department, till now, as many as 2,438 applications have been received at five blocks in Jalandhar.
From Adampur, 316 have poured in, from Jalandhar west, 425 applications have poured in, while Nakodar block has received the highest number of applications at 1,001.
As many as 395 and 310 applications have come from Bhogpur and Phillaur, respectively.
The department officials said that the farmers would get a subsidy of Rs 1,000 per quintal. The department has got a target of providing 7,350 quintal of seed on subsidised rates. Till now, the demand for around 4,600 quintals of seeds has been made.
Jaswinder Kumar, Assistant development officer (seeds) said that seeing the response, they think that the demand for the seeds would reach around 8,000 quintal as they were still waiting for the report from five districts.
The officers would not be able to provide seeds to all farmers due to shortage. Kumar said that, they will prefer giving the seeds to the small and marginal farmers, if the demand exceeds the target.
The seeds are provided by government agencies, including the Punjab Seed Corporation and National Seed Corporation, to the department. Kumar also said, “Marginal and small farmers will be given seeds on priority as we have limited quantity.”
Source:http://www.tribuneindia.com/
