The water level has risen from one to five metres across several blocks due to various measures undertaken by the state government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said while inaugurating the two-day Kissan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).“On March 16, 2022, only 22 per cent of canal irrigation water in Punjab was used for irrigation. It has now reached 88 per cent. During the last four years, underground pipelines have been laid across 14,000 km. The distance is equivalent to travelling from Canada to Baghapurana. The irrigation network is set to increase to 20,000 km, taking canal irrigation use to 95 per cent,” he said.Mann invited farmer unions to the fair and urged them to avoid staging sit-ins. “Whenever you want to hold a meeting, come to me directly. Presently, you first stage a protest, then call for a meeting,” he said, adding, “I am your friendly insect, yet you spray on me.”He also called for reducing production costs and crop diversification. “The state government is making concerted efforts to make farming modern and profitable so that prosperity reaches every farmer. PAU is being upgraded to ensure that only high-quality seeds reach farmers, while Rs 1,300 crore is being spent to promote horticulture in Punjab,” he said.Urging farmers to shun stubble burning, the CM said new equipment was being provided to farmers for both in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residue.“We are encouraging farmers to adopt crop diversification. However, the Union Government must provide remunerative MSP for these crops. This will encourage farmers to diversify and help reduce pressure on Punjab’s natural resources,” he said.He said Punjab’s farmers had contributed immensely to making India self-reliant in food production at the cost of its own resources, and the state now had no spare water to share with any other state.The CM reiterated that Punjab was providing the highest sugarcane price in the country at Rs 416 per quintal. “The area under sugarcane cultivation has increased compared to last year. The state has already received cash credit limit for ensuing paddy season before the commissioning of procurement,” he said.