Punjab urges farmers to grow maize instead of paddy, provides subsidised seeds

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government has urged farmers to cultivate maize instead of the water-guzzling paddy. The state is providing subsidy on maize seed at the rate of Rs 84 per kilogram.

A spokesperson of the agriculture department said the move is aimed at pulling the debt-ridden peasantry of the state out of the vicious cycle of wheat-paddy cultivation. He said the government is promoting varieties of maize seed that produce higher yield.

He said that maize seed of Lakshmi-333 variety is available to the farmers at Rs 168 per kg, DKC-9125 at Rs 220, DKC-9140/II8017 at Rs 225, PAC-751 at Rs 210, LY-558/4558 at Rs 190, PMH-2255 at Rs 179, TX-369 at Rs 180, P-3396 at Rs 265, P-3401 at Rs 375 and PMH-1 at Rs 175.