Chandigarh, June 12 -- The large-scale expansion of hybrid paddy cultivation across Punjab has triggered concerns among rice millers and agricultural scientists, who warn that the state could face a challenging procurement season after the crop harvest in October-November due to excessive broken rice generated during milling.

While farmers are increasingly shifting to hybrid paddy varieties such as SAWA 7301, SAWA 7501, SAWA 134, SAWA 127, Kaveri 7299 and Kaveri 471, experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, have advised against their cultivation, citing quality issues that could affect rice procurement under the Food Corporation of India (FCI) norms.

PAU vice-chancellor SS Gosal said the university has repeatedly cau...