Private sector urged to invest in production of hybrid maize seed in Bihar

27-Sep-2024 04:59 PM

New Delhi. Bihar Agriculture Minister has said that maize production is increasing in the state and now the private sector should invest capital for the development and expansion of production and storage facilities of hybrid maize seed in the state.

In a conference organized by FICCI, the Agriculture Minister announced to increase the target of maize sowing area in Bihar to 10 lakh hectares during the current year.

The Agriculture Minister said that Bihar is the fifth largest maize producing state of India and due to its attractive market price, farmers are showing great interest in its cultivation.

The price of maize in the markets of Bihar has increased to above the minimum support price, due to which the farmers are very excited.

According to the Agriculture Minister, the use of maize is no longer limited to human consumption and animal feed but is also increasing rapidly in ethanol production.

Apart from this, starch manufacturers also use it in good quantity. Due to permission to use maize in ethanol production,

the demand for this important coarse grain has increased manifold, while it is expected to increase further in the future. This has increased the possibility of setting up ethanol plants across Bihar.

But this has also brought forth two challenges. Firstly, there is a shortage of hybrid maize seeds in the state and secondly, there is inadequate storage facility.

According to the Agriculture Minister, Bihar is facing a huge shortage of this hybrid seed, so private companies should start producing it locally.

A new policy is being prepared for this and it will be released soon along with the expression of interest.

At present, hybrid maize seeds are being produced on a large scale in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.