Punjab: The Punjab Agriculture Department has halted the sale of paddy varieties PR-131 and PR-132 following complaints from farmers regarding crop damage caused by ‘dwarf disease.’ A new variety (PR-133) has been introduced for the upcoming paddy season. This decision was taken in the wake of protests by farmers. The farmers alleged that during the 2025 season, both these varieties were infected by the ‘Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus,’ resulting in severe damage to their crops.
Sources at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) stated that these controversial varieties were not offered for sale at the ‘Kisan Mela’ (Farmers’ Fair) held at Ballowal Saunkhri in the SBS Nagar district. Prior to this, farmers had voiced their objections regarding these varieties during the ‘Rauni Mela’ held in Patiala. Farmers showed considerable interest in PR-126—a well-known paddy variety developed by PAU—whereas the newly introduced variety, PR-133, received only a limited response from the farmers at the fair.
Punjab: Following protests, the sale of two varieties of paddy has been halted.
