Punjab Agri Dept pushes for maize cultivation, sets 1,500 hectare target this season
To boost crop diversification and farmer income, the Agriculture Department is promoting kharif maize cultivation, targeting 1,500 hectares—400 of which are already sown. Maize’s water efficiency, mechanisation, and MSP support make it ideal for current conditions. Trained “Kisan Mitras” are helping mobilise farmers. Despite rainfall and hesitancy challenges, officials remain hopeful. Meanwhile, rising spring maize acreage raises water use concerns.
In a bid to promote crop diversification and improve farmer income, the Agriculture Department has intensified efforts to encourage local farmers to shift toward kharif maize cultivation this season. The department has set a target of 1,500 hectares, with 400 hectares (approx ) already brought under cultivation so far. Although the target has not been achieved yet, the officials are, however, optimistic about the fact that the area under kharif maize will be increased.
Officials say the push for maize comes as part of a broader initiative to balance water use, improve soil health, and offer better returns. “Maize is a water-efficient crop and totally mechanised. It is not a labour intensive crop. Also for the first time, the government is providing MSP for the same. It’s ideal for the current climatic conditions,” a senior agriculture officer stated.
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 mobilising and motivating fellow farmers to adopt maize during the kharif season.
“These trained farmers will act as field ambassadors, sharing their own experiences and technical knowledge to build confidence among others,” said a senior agriculture officer.
To meet the target, the department is conducting awareness drives, providing high-yield variety seeds, and extending support through subsidies and technical guidance.
Despite the ongoing campaign, challenges remain. Unpredictable rainfall patterns and hesitation among farmers to switch from conventional crops are some of the obstacles being faced.
However, with over 1,100 hectares still to go, the department remains optimistic. “We are hopeful that more farmers will come on board in the coming weeks and we will be able to achieve the target,” Dr Randhir Singh Thakur, the Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) told The Tribune.
Farmers interested in adopting maize cultivation can reach out to their local agriculture extension offices for assistance and inputs. Over 200 camps have already been organised by the department until now.
There is a huge rise in the area under the water-guzzling spring maize and it has become a cause of worry for agriculture experts.
In Jalandhar district, 9,000 hectares were under the crop in 2020-21, which increased to around 25,000 hectares in 2024.
Because of high water consumption, the Agriculture Department and Punjab Agricultural University do not recommend sowing of this crop.
Several farmers, who were earlier growing muskmelon in the Shahkot area of Jalandhar and the Dona area of Kapurthala, have now switched over to growing spring maize in their fields and have reduced the area under muskmelon.
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Source : The Tribune
