NewKerala.com

Punjab Secures Basmati Centre of Excellence in Netherlands to Boost Farmers

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, during his visit to the Netherlands, has secured the establishment of a centre of excellence for basmati. The initiative aims to strengthen farmers' incomes and reduce the state's overreliance on the wheat-paddy cycle, which has strained natural resources. The collaboration includes LT Foods, which consented to set up the centre and a pilot for assured procurement and low-pesticide cultivation. Mann also called for expedited research ties between Dutch multinationals and Punjab Agricultural University to promote sustainable agriculture.

Key Points: Punjab to Get Basmati Centre of Excellence for Crop Diversification

  • Centre of excellence for basmati secured
  • Aims to boost farmer income & crop diversification
  • Focus on sustainable farming & global standards
  • Collaboration with Dutch firms & PAU for research
3 min read

Punjab to have centre of excellence for basmati ​

Punjab CM secures a basmati centre of excellence in the Netherlands to help farmers diversify crops, increase income, and adopt sustainable practices.

"For the sake of the nation, farmers in Punjab have overexploited the state's fertile land and water resources... - Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann"

Chandigarh, April 22

Punjab is set to take a major step towards crop diversification and sustainable agriculture. ​

With the efforts of the Chief Minister, the establishment of a centre of excellence for basmati has been secured during his ongoing visit to the Netherlands. ​

The initiative aims to strengthen farmers' incomes and reduce overreliance on the wheat-paddy cycle, an official statement said. ​

As part of his visit, CM Mann explored best practices in agriculture and industry to benefit farmers, who have played a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production. ​

The Chief Minister said, "For the sake of the nation, farmers in Punjab have overexploited the state's fertile land and water resources, making it essential to shift away from the wheat-paddy cycle." ​

"For the sake of the nation, the farmers of the state have overexploited its only available natural resources in terms of fertile land and water, due to which the need of the hour is to bring the farmers out of the rut of wheat-paddy circle." ​

Emphasising the way forward, he said, "For this purpose, a major push is needed to crop diversification and the Netherlands can duly help the state a lot in this noble cause." ​

During his visit to the LT Foods facility in Rotterdam, the company shared its global presence across more than 80 countries and a strong linkage with over one lakh farmers. The visit focused on sustainable farming practices and expanding Punjab's basmati footprint globally. ​

Stressing the importance of aligning with international standards, CM Mann said, "There is a need for sustainable farming, including reducing pesticide usage to meet international standards and to promote basmati rice in the international market." ​

Following this engagement, LT Foods gave consent to establish a basmati centre of excellence in Punjab, along with a pilot for assured procurement and low-pesticide cultivation. ​

CM Mann also called for expediting collaboration between Dutch multinationals and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for research and sustainable agriculture practices. ​

Highlighting the economic challenges in farming, he said, "With the squeezing margins of profit, agriculture is no longer a profitable proposition, due to which farmers are facing a lot of problems for their basic subsistence." ​

He said the production potential of the available crop technologies had already been nearly exhausted and was now approaching a plateau in growth. ​

Extending an invitation to global investors, CM Mann invited Dutch companies to participate in upcoming agri-tech and industrial platforms, including engagements with CII. ​

He also highlighted the state's progressive policy framework, including the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026 and the FastTrack Punjab Portal, which ensures time-bound, transparent approvals. ​

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some action on crop diversification! The wheat-paddy cycle has ruined our water table. My uncle is a farmer in Sangrur and he says the cost of cultivation is so high, profits are negligible. If this centre can provide assured procurement and better techniques, it will be a game-changer.
R
Rohit P
Good initiative, but I'll believe it when I see it on the ground. We have heard many promises before. The collaboration with Netherlands and LT Foods sounds promising, but the benefits must reach the small farmer, not just the big corporations. The pilot project needs to be scaled up quickly.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in agri-tech, this is the right direction. Sustainable farming and aligning with international standards is the only way forward for Indian agriculture to be globally competitive. The link with PAU for research is critical. Hope this brings modern technology to our fields.
V
Vikram M
The CM is correct that agriculture is no longer profitable. This centre of excellence must focus on making the entire value chain efficient - from seeds to market. Also, basmati is water-intensive too, so hope they promote water-saving techniques like drip irrigation alongside this. Jai Kisan!
K
Kavya N
A respectful criticism: While foreign collaboration is good, we must also invest heavily in our own indigenous research at PAU and other state agriculture universities. We cannot always look west for solutions. Our farmers have traditional knowledge that should be integrated with modern science.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50