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Haryana

With A View To Encouraging Further Diversification From Paddy To Maize, The Haryana Agriculture And Farmers’ Welfare Department Has Decided To Identify And

PUNJAB NEWSLINE | September 09, 2020 07:01 PM

CHANDIGARH: With a view to encouraging further diversification from paddy to maize, the Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department has decided to identify and designate successful maize growers under the ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme this year as mentors. These mentors will raise awareness amongst other farmers about the many benefits of cultivating maize.

Some of the successful maize growers would also be identified and awarded as per announcement made by Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal.

While stating this here today, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, said that the mentor farmers would host ‘Field Days’ where they would inform and educate others about the benefits of diversifying from paddy to maize, demonstrate techniques to maximise yield, and share their technical know-how to ensure profit maximisation.

The mentors would also be able to reassure the other farmers that growing maize can not only be as financially profitable as paddy, but also requires less input and is an excellent option for water-saving. They would also encourage paddy growers, particularly in areas with low groundwater levels, to diversify to maize and register under the ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme, which would enable them to avail financial incentives, as well as assured procurement at Minimum Support Price, which currently stands at Rs. 1,850 per quintal, he added.

Kaushal said that these interventions would give a boost to the State Government’s efforts to conserve the depleting groundwater table as more area would be brought under maize. The increase in production would also prove beneficial for the animal husbandry sector, as maize and its silage are used to feed poultry and milch animals, respectively.

More than 2,500 hectares in the State have so far been diversified from paddy to maize.

 
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