Sangrur, Oct. 14 -- Amid the Supreme Court's stringent directives against stubble burning and the Punjab government's push for crop diversification, Punjab agriculture department is facing severe staff crunch with 30% of the key posts lying vacant.

According to officials familiar with the development, of the 1,449 sanctioned posts in the agriculture department across Punjab, 435 are lying vacant.

Key positions, including agriculture officers, agriculture development officers (ADO) and agriculture extension officers - crucial for farmer education, machine subsidy distribution and technical support - remain vacant, affecting the department's ability to assist farmers on the ground, officials familiar with the matter said.

The situation i...