NEW DELHI : Punjab is turning to options such as the use of technology as it aims to boost its crop diversification attempts amid a labour shortage against the backdrop of the coronavirus with the sowing season beginning this week.The move is significant because the state’s push for crop diversification to deal with a local labour shortage, also improve farmer income, and promote less water-intensive crops has been going on for over a year now.
This, coupled with a move for greater mechanization, could yield better results for the farmers, according to government officials and experts.Sowing of paddy in Punjab began on Wednesday even as the state government led by chief minister Amarinder Singh encouraged farmers to opt for direct seeding.