CHANDIGARH: Celebrating the success of Kharif Maize Pilot Project, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, today felicitated progressive maize growers, who switched from water guzzling paddy crop to Maize cultivation.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian handed over appreciation certificates to maize growers and encouraged them to sensitise other farmers to adopt this crop.
He said that the Kharif Maize Pilot Project, aimed at promoting crop diversification, curbing groundwater depletion, improving soil health and boosting farmer income, has shown positive results. The government is mulling the expansion of the program for the next season, encouraging more farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy to maize cultivation.
While nothing that maize cultivation offers a sustainable alternative, requiring far less water and fewer irrigation cycles than paddy, He shared that the expansion strategy is being drawn up in consultation with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and industry stakeholders, aiming to position Punjab as a national leader in maize production.
The Agriculture Minister said that this pilot targeted districts of Bathinda, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Pathankot to scientifically demonstrate maize as a profitable and sustainable alternative of paddy. Over 3, 708 progressive farmers participated in the pilot and successfully brought 11, 326 acres under maize cultivation.