Chandigarh, Jun 9 (IANS): Even as he appealed to the farmers to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols in the Kharif sowing season beginning Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday assured of uninterrupted 8-hour power supply for tube wells and regular water supply for paddy transplantation.

In a message to the farmers, the Chief Minister urged them to wear face masks, and diligently follow all health protocols advised by the authorities from time to time.

With corona cases rising across India, Punjab could not remain isolated, he warned.

Expressing confidence about another bumper Kharif season, Amarinder Singh urged all Punjab farmers to strictly follow all social distancing norms and other precautions.

Amid the coronavirus crisis, Punjab had procured 128 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat without a single corona infection case from 4,000 mandis across the state.

This, said the Chief Minister, had demonstrated the successful implementation of social distancing norms during the 40-day process, which the farmers had managed against all odds.

Amarinder Singh expressed satisfaction at the initial results of the unique direct sowing method for paddy, for which the state government has provided machines to farmers this season.

The results have been encouraging, with paddy needing less water, he said, adding that the technique is also less labour-intensive.

The state has been encouraging the use of these machines due to reduced migrant worker availability and lesser danger of infections compared with manual sowing.