One of the most promising alternatives to paddy is maize cultivation: Minister
The Indian government is encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops like maize to replace paddy and reduce stubble burning in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Maize, with potential for bioethanol production, is a key alternative. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has seen optimized yields, and the Crop Diversification Programme aims to diversify crops like oilseeds and pulses.
The Indian Government is promoting the cultivation of high-value crops like maize to replace cereal crops as part of efforts to reduce stubble burning, according to Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ramnath Thakur.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday to a question on the steps taken to promote high-value crop substitution for paddy in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh to reduce stubble burning, he said, “One of the most promising alternatives to paddy is Maize cultivation, which holds significant potential, particularly for bioethanol production. High value crops such as fruits and vegetables also have the potential to replace cereal crops.”
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has promoted Maize cultivation in Punjab and Haryana through various outreach programmes. Under the ‘Participatory Innvovation Platform on Potential Yield Realization of Maize-Based Cropping Systems in Punjab and Haryana’ (2021-23), maize yields ranged from 57.33 quintals/hectare to 76.00 quintals/hectare in Punjab and from 61.33 quintals/hectare to 77.00 quintals/hectare in Haryana. These findings highlight the potential yield optimization in maize-based systems across the two States, using best agronomic practices.
“The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) in the Original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to diversify paddy crop to alternate crops like oilseeds, pulses, coarse cereals/nutria-cereals, cotton and agro-forestry,” he added.
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Source : Chinimandi
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