Punjab is poised to witness a record-breaking paddy harvest this Kharif season, with sowing already completed on 30.94 lakh hectares. While the anticipated yield of 185 lakh tonnes—slightly above last year’s 182 lakh tonnes—has sparked optimism among farmers, agricultural experts are raising red flags over the long-term ecological toll of paddy cultivation.
The state’s heavy dependence on paddy farming has come under scrutiny due to its significant environmental impact. According to the agriculture directorate, 25.19 lakh hectares are under coarse grain varieties covered by the Minimum Support Price (MSP), while 5.75 lakh hectares are devoted to premium basmati.
“This year’s crop is expected to perform well due to ideal sowing conditions, including ample rainfall and suitable temperatures,” said Jaswant Singh, Punjab’s Director of Agriculture, adding that another 50,000 to 60,000 hectares may yet be brought under cultivation.
However, experts warn that paddy, a non-native crop, offers only a temporary gain and could have severe long-term consequences for Punjab’s agrarian ecosystem. The cultivation of paddy over more than 30 lakh hectares has displaced other traditional Kharif crops like maize and cotton, effectively undermining the state’s long-standing crop diversification strategy.
One of the gravest concerns is the unsustainable exploitation of groundwater. Punjab relies on approximately 14.5 lakh tubewells for irrigation, with 70% of its revenue blocks now designated as “dark zones” due to critical groundwater depletion. On average, the water table is falling by one metre annually—a trend that jeopardizes the future viability of all crops, including paddy.
“Paddy yield has never been the issue,” said Sardara Singh Johal, former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and an expert with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). “The real crisis is our fast-depleting water reserves. Without water, no crop can survive. If we are serious about conservation, paddy cultivation must be reconsidered.”
Echoing this sentiment, BS Dhillon, another former PAU Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the urgency of agricultural reform. “Punjab’s current model is unsustainable. Water scarcity and environmental degradation are worsening, and we must urgently transition to water-efficient alternatives like maize, millets, and cotton,” he advised.
The expected bumper harvest poses logistical challenges as well. The new rice yield could add 185 lakh tonnes to the existing 80 lakh tonnes of surplus from the previous season, potentially overwhelming the state’s storage infrastructure and increasing the risk of wastage.
“Though beneficial for farmers in the short term, the surplus stock could strain financial and storage capacities,” Jaswant Singh noted.
Another environmental hazard linked to paddy farming is stubble burning. Punjab produces roughly 190 lakh tonnes of paddy straw each year, much of which is burned, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. This practice significantly deteriorates air quality in northern India, particularly affecting cities like Delhi during winter months.
To tackle this issue, the state has sought ₹500 crore in aid for stubble management, which could also support future crop diversification efforts. Since 2018, around ₹1,700 crore has been allocated as subsidies for machinery aimed at in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy residue.
