Maize is a cereal crop of versatile use and must be promoted as intercrop.
Parshottambhai Rupala, Minister of State (Agri & Farmers Welfare), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has recently mentioned that PM Narendra Modi’s ambitious target of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022, can be achieved through private sector investment and participation in agriculture.
Addressing the ’7th India Maize Summit 2021’, organised by FICCI, Rupala said that farmers will be interested in the cultivation of maize only if it’s profitable. “We must project maize as a surplus crop,” added the minister.
Rupala further highlighted the importance of hedging and the need to include it in agricultural policies. He also gave assurance for minimum support price (MSP) in maize. Maize, he said is a cereal crop of versatile use and must be promoted as intercrop.
Amrendra Pratap Singh, Minister, Agriculture Department, Government of Bihar said that Bihar is one of the strongest agricultural states in India and urged entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture and agro-processing sector in the state. “Investors and entrepreneurs can rest assured they will get full cooperation from the Bihar government. We want maize to be used enterprisingly in Bihar and industry has a key role to play in it,” he added.
T R Kesavan, Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee & Group President, TAFE Ltd said that having realised the potential of maize in generating better income for farmers while providing gainful employment, Maize also qualifies as a potential crop for doubling farmer’s income. Over the last decade, maize consumption in India grew at a CAGR of 5.6 per cent while production grew at just about 2.9 per cent. Looking at the rising demand for Maize, there is an imminent need to establish a clear road map for this sector.
