Record 77% rise in moong cultivation in Punjab
Punjab to produce about 4 lakh quintals of moong with an average yield of 4-5 quintals per acre
NEW DELHI/PUNJAB:
There has been a record 77% rise in moong cultivation in Punjab. The state is set to produce about 4 lakh quintals of moong with an average yield of 4-5 quintals per acre, a high of the last five years. This positive growth can be credited to Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Mann’s announcement for MSP for the crop.
Talking about the development, AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “AAP’s Delhi government gave a fantastic model to the country in the fields of education, health and electricity. The Punjab government of AAP is working with the farmers to improve agriculture and increase the income of the farmers. Farmers of Punjab have supported the last few announcements of CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann, which have yielded spectacular results for the state.”
Punjab Agriculture director Gurvinder Singh said, “as per the data compiled till May 9, a total of 38,900 hectares or about 97,000 acres is under moong cultivation across Punjab this season. It was 22,000 hectares (55,000 acres) in the last rabi zaid (third crop sown between rabi and kharif seasons). The state government is chalking out various marketing options to make moong cultivation a sustainable crop.”
According to official data, Mansa topped the chart with 10,000 hectares of moong cultivation, followed by Moga (5,000 hectares) and Ludhiana (4,000 hectares).
The cultivation of moong has also been made possible because of the early wheat harvest in Punjab. This harvest has given the farmers a sufficient window to cultivate moong during the current cycle. Topping that, is the AAP Government’s policy which has enforced surety and confidence in the minds of the farmers. Farmers have high hopes to earn extra between the wheat-paddy cycle when farms remain vacant for over two months.