CHANDIGARH: Punjab's crop diversification efforts have received a significant boost, with the area under Kharif maize crop witnessing a 16.27% increase this season. The area under Kharif maize rose to one lakh hectares, up from 86, 000 hectares in 2024, informed S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.
While chairing a high-level meeting here at his office on Thursday, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian reviewed the status of the kharif maize crop and issued directions to ensure smooth procurement of maize crop.
The Agriculture Minister said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government launched an ambitious pilot project to promote agricultural diversification and groundwater conservation by shifting 12, 000 hectares area from paddy to kharif maize cultivation in six districts— Bathinda, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. To encourage farmers, the state government had also announced an incentive of Rs.17, 500 per hectare under the pilot project. Additionally, 185 Kisan Mitras have been appointed to guide and support farmers in this transition.
Meanwhile, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian has directed the formation of district-level committees comprising officials from Agriculture, Punjab Mandi Board and Markfed to ensure smooth procurement of Kharif maize. He also urged the maize cultivators to bring a dry crop to Mandis so that they won’t have to face any hassle to sell their crop.
The Administrative Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Basant Garg, emphasised the importance of maintaining optimal moisture levels in maize crops, specifying that the moisture content should not exceed 14 percent. To facilitate smooth sales, he directed Chief Agriculture Officers and field staff to sensitise farmers on bringing dry maize crops to Mandis, thereby ensuring hassle-free procurement and supporting farmers in getting better prices for their produce.
Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Ramvir, MD Markfed Mr. Kumar Amit, Director Agriculture Mr. Jaswant Singh and other senior officials of the respective departments were also present in the meeting.