BATHINDA, June 3 -- A day after the paddy transplant phase commenced as per the Punjab government's decision in five districts of the south Malwa region, farmers are not keen to start early rice sowing.

As per the Punjab government's directives, farmers are allowed to transplant paddy in Bathinda, Faridkot, Muktsar, Fazilka and Ferozepur from June 1. The region is likely to cover about 8-9 lakh hectares under rice cultivation.

Information gathered from the region on Monday says there was hardly any rice sowing activity in the area.

Field officers of the state agriculture department say that farmers are apprehensive that the advancing sowing period may adversely impact quality and yield. Chief agriculture officers of the areas said that...