Rice millers across the state have refused to procure the PAU-201 variety of paddy. They demand a relaxation of 7 per cent in the breakage norm for this variety against the prescribed 4 per cent. The millers are also seeking further relaxation from the state Government in the norms for discoloration of the grain.

The PAU-201 variety has always been a point of discord, with the state’s Department of Agriculture and Punjab Agricultural University on one side and the millers on the other.

The state machinery has been aggressively promoting this variety among the farmers, for it consumes less water as compared to the traditional paddy varieties grown in the state. With its maturing time also being shorter, the sowing of this variety can be delayed till June 15, which in turn helps conserve the water table. Experts opine that this variety also scores high on the nutritional value.

PAU V-C Dr Manjit Singh Kang has rooted for this variety and so has Agriculture Director Balwinder Singh Sidhu. The variety is grown on around four lakh hectares in the state.

Procurement agencies are, however, shying away from this variety for it is slightly discoloured and at the same time the breakage in this variety is higher.

Malkiat Singh, a farmer from Bhaghapurana, said: “I have sown this variety on about five acres and the yield is also higher than other varieties. However, no one is ready to buy it. I had forced my family to opt for this variety so that we could help conserve water. They have now refused to sow PAU-201 again.”

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