Chandigarh-Celebrating the success of Kharif Maize Pilot Challenge, the Punjab Authorities led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, at the moment felicitated progressive maize growers, who switched from water guzzling paddy crop to Maize cultivation.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian handed over appreciation certificates to maize growers and inspired them to sensitise different farmers to undertake this crop. He mentioned that the Kharif Maize Pilot Challenge, geared toward selling crop diversification, curbing groundwater depletion, enhancing soil well being and boosting farmer earnings, has proven optimistic outcomes. The federal government is mulling the growth of this system for the following season, encouraging extra farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy to maize cultivation.
Whereas nothing that maize cultivation gives a sustainable different, requiring far much less water and fewer irrigation cycles than paddy, He shared that the growth technique is being drawn up in session with Punjab Agricultural College (PAU) and business stakeholders, aiming to place Punjab as a nationwide chief in maize manufacturing.
The Agriculture Minister mentioned that this pilot focused districts of Bathinda, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Pathankot to scientifically display maize as a worthwhile and sustainable different of paddy. Over 3,708 progressive farmers participated within the pilot and efficiently introduced 11,326 acres below maize cultivation.
The initiative marks a strategic transfer to reverse a decades-long development. As soon as a maize heartland with over 5.5 lakh hectares below cultivation within the Nineteen Seventies, Punjab noticed its maize space shrink to about one lakh hectares as a result of rising dominance of water-intensive paddy, he added.
Hailing the progressive farmers as architects of change, Khudian mentioned that. “In the present day, we aren’t simply celebrating a profitable harvest. We’re sowing the seed of a brand new, sustainable Punjab. Our farmers have confirmed that with the correct assist, we will safe our valuable water, soil and financial prosperity. Their braveness is the muse upon which we’ll rebuild a diversified agricultural financial system.”
Khudian knowledgeable that the Kharif Maize Pilot Challenge is supported by a strong five-pillar system. This contains on-ground handholding by 200 educated “Kisan Mitras” who present steady agronomic assist, direct monetary incentives of Rs 17,500 per hectare to offset transition prices and a mechanisation subsidy of fifty% on superior equipment like pneumatic planters. Moreover, PAU consultants supply scientific backing with end-to-end technical steerage, whereas market assurance was supplied through MARKFED guaranteeing remunerative costs for farmers.
The Agriculture Minister additionally interacted with maize growers to pay attention their expertise and difficulties they confronted. Sansar Singh and Gurpal Singh, maize farmers from Pathankot district, shared their success story. They achieved file yields of 25-26 quintals per acre and bought their crop at Rs2,700 per quintal, exceeding the Minimal Assist Value (MSP) of Rs 2,400/quintal.
