Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests and making agriculture a modern and profitable profession, while underlining that Punjab’s precious water resources cannot be compromised. During farmers at the Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University, he highlighted the expansion of canal irrigation to 88%, the laying of 14,000 km of underground pipelines, with another 7,000 km planned by year-end, and the resulting improvement in groundwater levels.
The Chief Minister said the government is strengthening PAU’s seed research, investing ₹1,300 crore in horticulture and ensuring ₹416 per quintal, the country’s highest sugarcane price, while calling on the Centre to provide remunerative MSP for alternative crops and financial support to farmers to end stubble burning. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also assured that every single grain of farmers’ produce would be procured and lifted during KMS 2026.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Attended the Kisan Mela at PAU and felicitated progressive farmers. It is a matter of great pride for Punjab that the university has been ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. To make agriculture a profitable profession, we have increased the use of canal water to 88%. The laying of 14,000 km of underground pipelines has raised the groundwater level in the state by up to 5 metres. For the convenience of farmers, daytime electricity supply to fields has now been ensured. With the hard work of our farmers, we are fully hopeful of a bumper paddy yield this year as well. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Addressing the gathering at the Kisan Mela organised at Punjab Agricultural University, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab has been the cradle of the Green Revolution in India, which played a pivotal role in making the country self-reliant in food production. The role of Punjab Agricultural University in transforming the country from a food-deficit nation into a food-surplus nation is also laudable.”
The Chief Minister said that the hard-working and resilient farmers of Punjab, under the able guidance of innovative agro-scientists of PAU, had transformed the fortunes of the nation by harnessing the state’s fertile soil and water resources. “Punjab Government is making concerted efforts to make farming modern and profitable so that prosperity reaches every farmer. PAU is being upgraded to ensure that only high-quality seeds reach farmers, while ₹1,300 crore is being spent to promote horticulture in Punjab,” he said.
He said that Punjab is providing the highest sugarcane price in the entire country at ₹416 per quintal, adding that the area under sugarcane cultivation has also increased compared with last year.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that when the present state government assumed office, only 22% of canal water was being utilised for irrigation, whereas this has now increased to more than 88%. “We have laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines to provide canal water to farmers across Punjab. This distance is equivalent to travelling from Canada to Baghapurana. Another 7,000 kilometres of pipelines will be laid by the end of this year,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that pipelines and watercourses have been laid across the state to ensure that canal water reaches farmers in every nook and corner of Punjab and meets their irrigation requirements.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that recharge points have been created in canals and rivers to improve the groundwater situation. “Water recharge has been carried out on a massive scale and the water level has increased by two to four metres in several areas. We have to protect every drop of our precious water resources,” he said.
Urging farmers to use only PAU-recommended sprays and pesticides, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that seeds must also be verified before sowing to ensure better yields and prevent farmers from facing unnecessary losses.
Dwelling on the agrarian crisis, he said that the state government is making strenuous efforts to bring farmers out of the vicious cycle of debt. “Escalating input costs and diminishing returns have put farmers at a difficult crossroads. We are making all-out efforts to supplement their income and ensure that farmers can lead a dignified and prosperous life,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that despite limited natural resources, Punjab’s farmers had contributed immensely to making India self-reliant in food production, often at the cost of overexploitation of the state’s natural resources. “Punjab has no spare water to share with any other state. There is no question of sharing even a single drop of water with anyone. Previous rulers, for their own vested interests, jeopardised the interests of Punjab by surrendering the state’s share of river waters. Our government has ensured that such compromises with Punjab’s interests are not repeated,” he said.
He said that the state government is optimally utilising every single penny of the state exchequer for the welfare of the people. “More than 90% of households in Punjab are receiving free power. Farmers are now also getting electricity during the daytime, which is unprecedented. People’s tax money belongs to the people, and it is being judiciously spent on their welfare. Their money is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals and roads,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to farmers ahead of the KMS 2026 procurement season, he said that every single grain of farmers’ produce would be procured and lifted from the markets. “Every single grain of the farmers’ produce will be procured and lifted during KMS (Kharif Marketing Season) 2026. Strict adherence to the prescribed norms for timely payment to farmers will be ensured. For the first time in the history of Punjab, the state has already received the Cash Credit Limit for the ensuing paddy season before the commissioning of procurement,” he said.
Urging farmers to shun stubble burning, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that new equipment is being provided to farmers for both in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residue. “The Punjab government is encouraging farmers to adopt crop diversification and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. However, the Union Government must provide remunerative MSP for these crops. This will encourage farmers to diversify and help reduce pressure on Punjab’s natural resources,” he said.
Congratulating the progressive and entrepreneurial farmers being honoured at the Kisan Mela, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that PAU is rightly known as a beacon of light for farmers. “PAU has continuously guided the farmers of Punjab and played a pivotal role in the development of agriculture in the state. Punjab accounts for only 1.53% of the total geographical area of the country, yet it continues to make a remarkable contribution to the nation’s food production,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann urged farmers to adopt scientific methods to enhance agricultural income. “The underlying spirit of Kisan Mela is to create awareness among farmers about new technologies and scientific practices that can protect the environment while increasing farm income. Farmers must adopt scientific methods and make informed choices for better productivity and profitability,” he said.
He reiterated that Punjab is providing the highest sugarcane price in the country at ₹416 per quintal and said that the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased compared with last year. “Previous governments ruined both Punjab’s farmers and youth and paid little attention to the agriculture sector. Our government is working to strengthen agriculture, improve farmers’ incomes and create better opportunities for the people of Punjab,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also referred to controversies and irregularities that had surfaced in agricultural schemes during the tenure of previous governments. “Such controversies and irregularities badly affected the interests and confidence of Punjab’s farming community. We have made the entire process transparent and accountable and are taking strict action against those found involved in wrongdoing,” he said.
Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and others were also present on the occasion.
