Assam govt pushes maize cultivation, cites ethanol demand, higher farm incomes
The Assam government urged farmers to diversify into maize cultivation, citing strong demand from the ethanol industry and higher income potential. It assured MSP top-up incentives, while acknowledging procurement gaps and encouraging improved procurement systems so farmers can realise the full MSP for maize and mustard.
Guwahati, July 29: The Assam government, on Wednesday, urged farmers to diversify towards maize cultivation, citing rising demand from the ethanol industry and higher income potential, while assuring continued support through Minimum Support Price (MSP) incentives.
The issue was raised during the 14th day of the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly by Congress MLA from Mankachar, Mohibur Rahman, who said farmers are not receiving the MSP announced by the Centre due to inadequate procurement facilities.
Rahman pointed out that although the Centre had fixed the MSP for maize at Rs 2,410 per quintal last year, farmers in his constituency are forced to sell their produce for around Rs 1,500 per quintal.
“Maize cultivation in our area is increasing every year, but farmers are unable to realise the MSP because procurement facilities are inadequate. The government should ensure that proper mechanisms are in place before the next marketing season in February-March so that farmers actually receive the MSP,” he said.
He also highlighted a similar issue with mustard cultivation, stating that while the MSP for mustard stood at Rs 6,200 per quintal, local farmers were receiving only Rs 4,800-5,000.
Responding to the concerns, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika said the Assam government is supplementing the Centre’s MSP through additional incentives and also encouraging maize cultivation because of its growing market demand.
“The Centre has fixed the MSP for mustard at Rs 6,200 per quintal, and the Assam government is providing a top-up incentive of Rs 300, taking the effective support price to Rs 6,500. For maize, the Centre’s MSP is around Rs 2,400, while the State government provides an additional Rs 250 per quintal,” Hazarika told the House.
Highlighting the potential of maize cultivation in lower Assam, the minister said South Salmara and Mankachar had together produced over 5,300 metric tonnes of maize last year.
“The ethanol industry has created a significant market for maize. There is unnecessary criticism of ethanol production, but it is opening up new opportunities for our farmers. India imports large quantities of fuel, and producing ethanol domestically will help reduce those imports while creating additional income for cultivators,” he said.
Hazarika noted that maize prices had improved considerably in recent years due to rising demand and claimed that farmers could earn around Rs 35,000 from cultivating maize on one bigha of land.
“Farmers should continue paddy cultivation, but they should also increasingly adopt maize cultivation because it offers better returns and a growing market,” he added.
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Source : The Assam Tribune
