Pb sets up panel to help potato, maize marketing

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has set up a three-member committee to work out a marketing strategy for the benefit of maize and potato farmers in the state.
The committee, comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation), Additional Chief Secretary (Development) and Chairman, Punjab State Farmers Commission, has been asked to submit its report by March 1, 2018.
According to an official spokesperson, the committee has been tasked with suggesting ways and means of providing marketing support for maize and potato crops to ensure that the farmers get remunerative prices, without wastage of these commodities.
Expressing concern over the losses suffered by farmers due to lack of proper marketing facilities for these crops, which end up getting wasted when there is no timely sale, the chief minister has asked the committee to identify domestic and international markets for sale of the produce.

Singh also directed the committee to explore the possibility of future trading in these items. This, he said, would also encourage the farmers to opt for crop diversification.
He further sought suggestions from the panel to spread awareness among potato growers about its varieties that are in demand among large MNCs.

This, he said, would help provide the states potato farmers with a ready market for their yield on a consistent basis and at the best possible price.
Singh has also asked the committee to assess the possibility of ethanol production from maize or corn.
He asked the committee to analyse the cost benefits of such production.