CHANDIGARH: In a major push to boost crop diversification and further expand cotton acreage in the State, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will provide a 33% subsidy on certified BT cotton hybrids and Desi cotton (Kapas) seed varieties recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
Sharing the details, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that the state government will bear nearly one-third of the seed cost for growers opting for any of the 87 approved BT cotton hybrids and four Desi cotton varieties – LD1019, LD949, FDK124 and PBD88.
“Our farmers have shown remarkable trust in this subsidy model. Last Kharif season, the area under cotton cultivation surged by 19% – from 1 lakh hectares in kharif 2024 to 1.19 lakh hectares in kharif 2025. We have set a target of 1.25 lakh hectares for Kharif 2026,” stated S. Khudian.
Calling the cotton “white gold”, the Agriculture Minister urged farmers to shift from water-guzzling paddy. He informed that the online application portal for availing the subsidy has been live since April 20.
He appealed the farmers to purchase certified seeds only from registered dealers and upload a valid bill at the time of submitting application. The 33% subsidy will be credited directly to the beneficiaries bank accounts after verification.
This initiative goes beyond financial relief. It will encourage farmers to shifting towards scientifically recommended, high-yield cotton varieties. The combination of Desi cotton options plus PAU-approved BT hybrid cotton seeds will help Punjab to reclaim its traditional cotton belt, he added.
The subsidy scheme, which saw strong uptake last season, is expected to significantly lower input costs and drive area expansion, particularly in the cotton-growing Malwa region. S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed all Chief Agriculture Officers to run intensive awareness campaign and ensure seamless access to the online portal for every eligible farmer, so that no grower is left out due to lack of information or digital access.
With robust quality seed support, Punjab is set to increase both productivity and profitability, said S. khudian, while urging every cotton grower to apply early on the portal and avail full benefit of this scheme.
