The Centre’s National Food Security Bill could face some hitches, irrespective to which party forms government in Punjab as both the Congress and Akali Dal-BJP have promised to diversify agricultural production by moving towards cash or commercial crops.
The poll promise by political parties to influence Punjab farmer to also grow crops other than wheat and paddy gives further weight to agriculture minister Sharad Pawar’s warning that implementation of food security law would be difficult unless agricultural productivity improves.
"Solution is that unless and until we increase production, we will not be able to implement (food security bill), we will not be comfortable to implement this," Pawar said. Punjab on an average, accounts for 23% of wheat and 10% of rice production in the country. Estimates suggest that between 65 and 70 million tonnes of foodgrain would be required to implement the proposed food law. In 2010-11, wheat procurement in Punjab was around 102 million tonnes, and rice 93 million tonnes.
The state’s contribution in maintaining the country’s food security has had adverse impact on soil fertility and ground water situation of the state. As many as 209 blocks in the state have been designated as "black blocks", where the water table has dropped to below 600 feet. Many experts stress that if Punjab doesn’t diversify its agricultural production the chances of desertification will increase.