Haryana warns of ban on Saathi rice cultivation

Kurukshetra, Jun 14 (UNI) Haryana Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chattha has warned the farmers that if they did not abandon farming of water-guzzler 'Saathi' paddy, then the state government would be forced to ban its cultivation.

Addressing a gathering of farming community after inauguration of a Kisan Mela in new grain market here today, Mr Chattha said the neighbouring state of Punjab had already banned cultivation of Saathi paddy due to acute shortage of water and power in the summer season when this crop is transplanted.

Haryana is also facing underground water crisis, he said adding that this year the Agriculture Department has campaigned for creating awareness among the farmers, who do not transplant Saathi paddy, but next year it may be replaced by a law if farmers did not co-operate.

Earlier, the Minister inaugurated an exhibition of new varieties of many foodgrains, cereals, oil seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and weedicides as well as agricultural implements like zero-tillage sowing mac hine, cane planter and wheat-fertiliser-weedicide sowing machine.

UNI XC JN RJ AS2031