New Delhi: In a significant stride towards enhancing agricultural strategies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare organized a noteworthy workshop on ‘Increasing Maize Production’ at PUSA, New Delhi, today. Chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, the workshop served as a platform for rich dialogue and collaborative strategies, marking a milestone in the progression of maize cultivation strategies in the country.
Key Insights from the Workshop:
- Ethanol Production Imperative: Prof. Ramesh Chand underscored the pressing need to elevate maize productivity to meet the surging demand for ethanol production. He emphasized that achieving higher maize productivity is pivotal for overall maize production in the nation.
- Private Sector’s Strategic Role: Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja provided a contextual overview of the workshop, highlighting the indispensable role of the private sector in formulating progressive strategies for the maize sector. Positioning maize as the “crop of opportunity,” Shri Ahuja stressed the importance of industry collaboration with farmers to boost maize production and ensure better remuneration.
- Focus Areas for Enhancement: Shri Ahuja’s concluding remarks emphasized key focus areas, including the promotion of high-yielding seed varieties, cluster demonstrations, a robust procurement policy, and the imperative for industry-farmer collaboration.
- Insights into Agricultural Initiatives: Additional Secretary, DA&FW, Ms. Shubha Thakur, shared valuable insights into the initiatives of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) aimed at accelerating maize production. She highlighted opportunities for the private sector to engage in Public Private Partnership for Integrated Agriculture Value Chain Development (PPPAVCD) specifically targeting maize to ethanol production.
- Collaborative Efforts with State Governments: Ms. Thakur emphasized the crucial need for collaborative efforts with state governments to further amplify maize production and drive sustainable agricultural practices.
The workshop signals a concerted effort to advance maize production, aligning with national goals for ethanol production and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices across the nation.