The area under spring maize cultivation in Ludhiana has witnessed a sharp decline this season amid rising concerns over groundwater depletion, reflecting the agriculture department’s push to curb water-intensive crops. According to official data, around 10,000 hectares have been brought under spring maize so far, significantly lower than 16,000 hectares last year, and officials indicated the figure is unlikely to reach previous levels even with further sowing.
The reduction signals a gradual shift in cropping patterns as authorities promote sustainable alternatives, especially since spring and summer maize—typically sown after potato and other rabi crops—requires water levels comparable to paddy when sown late, adding pressure on Punjab’s already stressed groundwater reserves.
Agriculture officials highlighted that while the decline is a positive step, the broader challenge lies in encouraging farmers to adopt less water-intensive crops such as kharif maize, which requires around 200 litres of water per kg compared to nearly 3,000 litres per kg for paddy.
However, adoption remains limited, with kharif maize cultivated on just about 320 hectares last season, underlining the gap between policy push and farmer uptake. Experts continue to warn that water-intensive cropping patterns, including spring maize, could aggravate groundwater depletion unless supported by viable alternatives that balance sustainability with farm incomes.
Source: Dairynews7x7 20th March, 2026 Read full story here
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