Punjab turns to kharif maize

Punjab finally seems to have hit on a solution for its crop diversification problem — maize. Being touted as the future crop of the state, maize will help reduce the area under kharif crops, especially paddy. Punjab, at present, has about 1.5 lakh hectares under maize and as per fresh targets set by the State Farmers Commission, it could go up to a “feasible” 6 lakh hectares.

The success of the hybrid maize last year which doubled the yield in the state has probably set the ball rolling. “Hybrid maize gives a yield of around 32 quintals per acre in the kharif season. While this yield is higher in the rabi season — around 8-10 tonnes per hectare — growing maize in this season would mean replacing wheat which we cannot afford. So our eyes are on the kharif maize,” said Dr PS Rangi, consultant PFC.

The Jagraon and Khanna mandis where maize is usually not sold, saw brisk business this year. “The farmers were able to get a good price between Rs 720 to Rs 750 per quintal which is way ahead of what they got for paddy. The maize growers were able to earn more for this crop needs less water and other inputs as compared to paddy,” said Rangi. The poultry owners of the state have already approached the PFC with a demand of 20,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes of feed in which, again, maize is the main crop.” The PFC has already convened a meeting of seven multinational companies like Monsanto, Pioneer Seeds, Pro Agro and others to set targets for seed sale for the coming season.