Agri meet projects maize as saviour for drought-hit areas

The growing awareness among farmers of the two states about the long-run implications of growing paddy and wheat was evident at the Progressive Farmers' Meet organised by the CII (Northern region) here on Monday. The message that was inferred from the meet was that dwindling water table and deteriorating soil conditions in Punjab and Haryana could be checked by diversifying cultivation of crops such as maize.

The farmers from the hinterland of north were keen to learn the benefits of diversification of agriculture.

Baldev Singh Dhillion, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, said that maize was the most viable alternative to paddy in the region, as it requires one-sixth less water than the paddy crop. Maize, at the same time, helps maintain the level of micro-nutrients in the soil.

He said India produces about 14.8 million tonnes of maize annually against the requirement of 70 million tonne. Over one lakh tonne of maize is imported every year, he added.

A huge demand for maize comes from the ever growing processed-food, poultry, pharma and textile sectors, in addition to the paper, alcohol, film, tyres and brewing industry as starch. Maize is also used as for making biofuels sucha s ethanol.

Pointing out at the Union Budget's proposal of Rs 500 cr for diversification of crops, he said farmers should come forth with a similar mindset.

Pavitarpal Singh Pangli, a farmer from Ludhiana, said an assured market for paddy and wheat dissuades the farmers from diversification.

If a farmer gets Rs 1,500 a quintal or above, maize becomes viable but the farmers get Rs 1200 a quintal off season and Rs 800 per quintal in the season for maize. Exhobitant tax by the state government to the extent of 14 per cent on maize (market fee and cess) complicates the matter even more.

The experts suggested that food processing units in by the state government in collaboration with the private sector in the states north can mobilsie the farmers to grow divert the area under wheat and paddy to maize.

With the growing yield of rice in eastern states and higher wheat productivity in the states like Madhya Perdesh this is the time Punjab and Haryana farmers plan the future course of farmimg, he added.