Punjab MLAs Rana Gurjeet Singh and Rana Inder Partap Singh champion Cassava Cultivation in Doaba to boost farm income and conserve water
Babushahi Bureau
Shahkot (Village Malsian), February 23, 2026: In a renewed push for crop diversification and sustainable agriculture, Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh and Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh visited Malsian village near Shahkot to promote cassava cultivation as a high-return, low-water alternative to traditional crops.
Interacting with farmers, the MLAs emphasised the urgent need to shift from water-intensive crops to sustainable options amid alarming groundwater depletion in Punjab.
Addressing the gathering, Rana Gurjeet Singh said Punjab’s subsoil water is receding at nearly one metre per year. He warned that the state is extracting nearly 16 billion cubic feet of groundwater annually, threatening its long-term sustainability.
Recalling his earlier initiatives, he cited the promotion of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) in 2019 during a labour shortage, in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University. The technique helped save nearly 30 per cent water, though many farmers later reverted to traditional paddy cultivation.
Promoting cassava (Manihot esculenta) as a viable alternative, Rana Gurjeet Singh described it as a gluten-free, pest-resistant crop requiring minimal maintenance. He explained that around 5,000 plants can be cultivated per acre, yielding nearly five kilograms per plant — translating to approximately 250 quintals per acre.
“Cassava requires care mainly during the first three months and just one herbicide spray. It matures in seven to nine months, giving farmers flexibility,” he said. The crop grows well in loamy and sandy loamy soils, making it suitable for the Doaba region.
Highlighting its profitability, Rana Gurjeet Singh said cassava currently fetches around ₹15 per kilogram, offering potential income of nearly ₹2.5 lakh per acre. With proper marketing, prices can exceed ₹20 per kilogram.
“Unlike crops such as potato that often face price crashes, cassava offers relatively stable returns,” he noted, urging at least 20 farmers to begin with one acre each as a pilot initiative.
Marketing Assurance
Addressing farmers’ concerns over market access, the MLA assured full support for procurement and processing. He stated that the produce must reach factories within 48 hours of harvest for conversion into dry powder, and pledged to facilitate logistics and market linkages.
“If we could ensure marketing support for maize, we will do the same for cassava,” he affirmed.
Industrial Demand and Institutional Backing
Rana Inder Partap Singh highlighted cassava’s industrial significance, noting its starch content ranges between 70 and 80 per cent — higher than maize (58 per cent) and rice (68 per cent). This makes it valuable for starch-based industries.
He said groundwork has already been completed, standard operating procedures prepared, and trial cultivation last year yielded encouraging results when best agricultural practices were followed.
Cassava by-products are used in making sabudana (tapioca pearls), animal feed, and other starch-based products.
The initiative has received technical support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Cassava expert Dr. M. Nedunchezhiyan, Director, ICAR Bhubaneswar, was present during the interaction and provided scientific guidance to farmers.
Concluding the interaction, Rana Gurjeet Singh urged farmers to join the diversification drive.
“Together we can conserve water, protect the environment, and significantly increase farm incomes. I assure you of support at every step,” he said.