Jalandhar: Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh and Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh on Monday visited Malsian village near Shahkot to encourage farmers to adopt cassava (manihot esculenta) cultivation as a viable alternative to traditional water-intensive crops.Rana Gurjeet Singh said he would procure and process the produce.
Addressing a gathering of farmers, Rana Gurjeet Singh emphasised the immediate need to diversify Punjab’s cropping pattern to conserve rapidly depleting groundwater resources.Speaking about cassava’s potential, he described it as a gluten-free, pest-resistant crop requiring minimal care. He further said cassava grows well in loamy and sandy loamy soils, making it suitable for the Doaba region.On the economic front, the legislator said: “Cassava currently sells at Rs 15 per kg, ensuring an income of nearly Rs 2.5 lakh per acre. When marketed properly, rates can cross Rs 20 per kg. Compared to crops like potato, which often cause financial distress due to price fluctuations, cassava offers stable and higher returns.”He urged at least 20 farmers to begin with one acre each as a pilot initiative.MSID:: 128717874 413 |
