Chandigarh, April 3 -- Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand on Thursday said those defending status quo in the field of agriculture do not have the courage to introduce changes which is leading to a creative destruction. During a discussion on diversification for higher income and sustainable agriculture in Punjab and Haryana, organised at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), he raised concern regarding overproduction of crops, particularly paddy.

Other experts also raised similar concerns. Hailing Punjab for its best alluvial soil and irrrigation facilities for 98% agricultural land, he said the challenge was to shun sarkari fasal (crops covered under the minimum support price) and adopt bazari fasal (crops as ...