Central Idea

Punjab CM recently announced the state’s decision to ban the cultivation of the PUSA-44 paddy variety starting from the next agricultural season.
This move has raised questions about why such a popular paddy variety is facing a ban and what implications it holds for the state’s agriculture.

About PUSA-44

Origin: Developed in 1993 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), PUSA-44 gradually gained popularity among Punjab’s farmers.
Rapid Adoption: Due to its high yield, Punjab’s farmers started cultivating it on a larger scale, covering 70 to 80 percent of the area under paddy cultivation.

High Yield: Farmers favor PUSA-44 for its impressive yield, producing nearly 85 to 100 quintals per acre compared to other varieties’ 28 to 30 quintals per acre.
Economic Advantage: The higher yield translates to increased income, with potential earnings of Rs 15,000 to 22,000 per acre above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Long Maturity Period: PUSA-44 requires around 160 days to mature, significantly longer than other varieties, necessitating 5-6 additional cycles of irrigation.
Groundwater Depletion: Punjab faces severe groundwater depletion, and with an expanding area under paddy, the government aims to conserve water resources by banning PUSA-44.
Stubble Burning: PUSA-44’s extended maturity period exacerbates the issue of stubble burning. The narrow timeframe between harvesting and wheat sowing makes stubble management challenging, leading to increased incidents of stubble burning.
Air Pollution: Stubble burning contributes to severe air pollution in North India during the winter, impacting public health.

Harvest Timing: PUSA-44 is harvested just before the wheat sowing season, leaving a limited window for stubble disposal.
Stubble Quantity: PUSA-44 generates approximately 2 percent more stubble than shorter-duration varieties, compounding the stubble burning problem.
High-Incidence Districts: Several districts in Punjab, including Barnala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Moga, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, and Mansa, witness higher stubble-burning incidents, coinciding with the PUSA-44 harvest.

Burning Incidents: In 2022, several districts experienced a high incidence of stubble burning, primarily linked to the PUSA-44 harvest.
Persistence: Stubble burning typically began in the third week of October, coinciding with the PUSA-44 harvest, and continued until November 25.