Punjab Crop Diversification Programme

Why it matters

Helps farmers move part of their land away from paddy into pulses, oilseeds, sunflower and bajra, which need far less water and reduce stress on Punjab's falling groundwater table.

What you get

The Crop Diversification Programme is Punjab's broader strategy to wean farmers off the water-intensive paddy-wheat cycle by actively promoting alternative crops including pulses, oilseeds, sunflower and bajra alongside the more targeted maize incentive. It provides subsidised seed/input kits, demonstration plots, and procurement-support assurances for the promoted alternative crops, alongside extension support to help farmers manage the agronomic and market-risk transition away from paddy. The programme is central to addressing Punjab's critical groundwater depletion crisis, recognised as one of the most acute in India due to decades of intensive paddy cultivation.

Eligibility criteria

• Farmer cultivating in a district covered under the Crop Diversification Programme
• Willingness to switch a portion of paddy land to an approved alternative crop
• Compliance with programme verification requirements (J-form/geo-tagging where applicable)

How to apply

1. 1

   Apply through the District Agriculture Office for the diversification component

2. 2

   Select an approved alternative crop (pulses, oilseeds, sunflower, bajra)

3. 3

   Receive subsidised input kit and extension support

4. 4

   Procurement/market-linkage support during harvest

Documents required

• Land record
• Aadhaar-linked bank account
• Proof of prior paddy cultivation where required