Punjab Emerges as a Suitable Hub for Maize Hybrid Seed Production
ICAR-IIMR Ludhiana successfully conducted Punjab’s first maize hybrid seed trial using DMRH 1308, proving local production can cut costs and boost profits. Farmers can earn ₹3.75–4.0 lakh/ha versus traditional maize. The initiative supports multiple cropping, seed self-reliance, and expansion to other states, reducing dependence on southern India.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, has successfully conducted a first-time maize hybrid seed production trial in a farmer’s field in Punjab. The trial was undertaken during the late Kharif season (August sowing) in the field of Sh. Sharanveer Singh, Village Gajiana, District Moga, using the maize hybrid DMRH 1308.
At present, nearly 100% of maize hybrid seed used in Punjab, costing about ₹700-1000 per kg during the peak season, is produced in southern India mainly Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and transported to northern states.
This long-distance movement significantly increases seed and cultivation costs for farmers. The average cost of seed production and processing per kilogram ranged from Rs 50–60. This indicates that a substantial amount of expenditure can be saved, thereby contributing significantly to enhanced profitability and improved livelihoods of farmers.
The successful performance of hybrid seed production under Punjab agro-climatic conditions has demonstrated that quality maize hybrid seed can be produced locally, even during the late Kharif season. Based on these encouraging results, the experiment will also be extended to the spring season. Importantly, seed harvested during late Kharif can be directly used for spring maize cultivation, eliminating the need for long-term storage and associated costs.
The optimum sowing time for late Kharif seed production is the first fortnight of August. Under seed production, farmers can obtain about average seed yield of 2500 Kg per hectare, which can be sold at an average price of ₹200 per kg (Currently at peak season it is ranging from Rs 700 to 1000/Kg), generating a gross return of approximately ₹5.0 lakh per hectare. After deducting production cost, farmers can realize net returns of ₹ 3.75- 4.0 lakh per hectare, which is nearly more than double the returns from commercial grain maize cultivation.
The late Kharif seed production system also offers multiple cropping opportunities. After harvesting, farmers may grow any suitable rabi vegetables or pulses. Thereafter, short- to medium-duration maize hybrids can be sown for spring cultivation and harvested by mid-June. Following this, farmers may take a 40-45 day short-duration kharif vegetable crop before again opting for late Kharif seed production.
Alternatively, after harvesting late Kharif seed production, farmers may undertake breeder-to-foundation seed or hybrid seed production by sowing in the first week of February, harvesting by mid-May, and then cultivating kharif vegetables from mid-May to July end, and then again can go for late Kharif seed production.
This experiment was also conducted for two years at the ICAR-IIMR research fields in Ludhiana, and then was taken up in farmers’ fields, where good seed setting was obtained. This kind of experiments will be further replicated in other farmers’ fields as well to obtain consistent and reliable results. For commercial seed production, there is a need to strengthen proper seed storage, drying, and processing infrastructure. If the Government of Punjab provides support through RKVY, ICAR–IIMR and its partners can strengthen this seed production model by developing and implementing the seed village concept, involving various FPOs and SHGs in this mission to make Punjab self-sufficient in the production of high-quality maize seed.
This initiative marks an important step towards self-reliance in maize hybrid seed production in Punjab, with significant potential to reduce seed costs, lower cultivation expenses, enhance productivity, and increase farmers’ income. It will also help meet the growing demand for quality seed in Punjab and neighbouring states.
In parallel, ICAR-IIMR, in collaboration with its partners, is conducting similar hybrid seed production experiments in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, aiming to diversify maize seed production beyond peninsular India and strengthen the national seed supply system.
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Source : ICAR
