Jalandhar: Promoted maize cultivation, target set for 1,500 hectares this season

Jalandhar: To promote crop diversification and improve farmers’ income, the agriculture department has stepped up efforts to encourage local farmers to shift towards kharif maize cultivation this season. The department has set a target of 1,500 hectares, of which 400 hectares (approx) have been brought under cultivation so far. Though the target has not been achieved yet, officials are optimistic that the area under kharif maize will increase. Officials say the push for maize is part of a broader initiative to balance water use, improve soil health and deliver better returns. “Maize is a water-efficient crop and is fully mechanised. It is not a labour intensive crop. Also, for the first time the government is providing MSP for it. It is ideal for the current climatic conditions,” said a senior agriculture official. As part of its outreach strategy, the department has trained 25 progressive farmers, designating them as ‘Kisan Mitras’. These Kisan Mitras will play a key role in motivating and organising fellow farmers to adopt maize cultivation during the kharif season. “These trained farmers will act as field ambassadors, sharing their experience and technical knowledge to instill confidence among others,” a senior agriculture official said.

To meet the target, the department is conducting awareness drives, providing high-yielding variety seeds and extending support through subsidies and technical guidance. Despite the ongoing drive, challenges persist. Unpredictable rainfall patterns and hesitation among farmers to switch from traditional crops are some of the hurdles being faced. Though work is still pending in over 1,100 hectares of area, the department is optimistic. “We hope more farmers will join in the coming weeks and we will be able to achieve the target,” chief agriculture officer (CAO) Dr Randhir Singh Thakur told The Tribune. Farmers interested in adopting maize cultivation can approach their local agriculture extension offices for assistance and inputs. More than 200 camps have been organised by the department so far. There has been a huge increase in the area under water-intensive spring maize and it has become a cause of concern for agriculture experts. Jalandhar district had maize crop in 9,000 hectares in 2020-21, which will increase to around 25,000 hectares in 2024. The agriculture department and Punjab Agricultural University do not recommend sowing of this crop due to high water consumption. Many farmers who earlier grew melon in Shahkot area of ​​Jalandhar and Dona area of ​​Kapurthala have now started growing spring maize in their fields and reduced the area under melon.