Maize production up in Bihar, both by design and default

08/08/2010

Patna,(BiharTimes): Thanks to efforts made by farmers as well as pranks played by the nature the production of maize, which is both rabi and kharif crop in Bihar, has increased recently.

Repeated drought and scanty rainfall are forcing farmers to switch over to maize instead of paddy in kharif season too, though basically it is a rabi crop.
According to data productivity of maize in Bihar is 2,541 kg/ha, which is greater than the all-India average productivity of 1,907 kg/ha.
However, in the last rabi season farmers in north Bihar had to suffer a lot because maize crop could not produce kernel at many places. There was even report of a farmer commiting suicide because he took bank loan for this purpose. Prolong spell of fog in January was held responsible for the loss of maize crop.

In Bihar both traditional and hybrid seeds are grown and are increasingly replacing up-land rice in the kharif season and wheat in the rabi season.
As Bihar has rich water resources and irrigation facility is available in winter and summer seasons, area under maize cultivation has naturally increased so has the yields.
Though, many agriculture experts do not deem it fit to produce more maize––or any cash crop––at the cost of rice and wheat, yet there are no dearth of people who are promoting this as a better cash crop than, for example, jute.

Now since national and a few multi-national players have jumped into this business and the tax structure in Bihar is simplified in comparison to other states more and more farmers are looking towards maize production. In countries like the United States maize (also known as corn) are used for producing petroleum.

In the past maize procurement used to be done by three Kolkata-based traders with a long deferred payment condition of 45 days. But now there is improvement in overall payment conditions to producers.

A number of national and regional players are trying to set up the starch and feed industry.
But Bihar still faces problem so far maize export is concerned. Export are done from the firms of other states and not by farmers of Bihar. There are no traders and agencies here. Thus the farmers do not get enough money, especially during the season.

Maize production increased in Bihar due to adoption of winter maize. However,area under maize has been stagnant during 2004-05 to 2008-09 at 6.40 lakh hectare..Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Bihar has estimated maize area of 8.29 lakh hectares for 2009-10 but it seems to be a guess estimate .Per ha. Maize productivity
In Bihar is,no doubt.,higher than national average maize productivity but it is lower than
Maize productivity achieved in Andhrapradesh (41 qts),Karnatka(30 qts)and Punjab(28qts).Farmers are fully dependent on Private Seed Companies for maize seeds
Since public sector stake in maize seeds is not even 10% in seed market of maize..In maize marketing ,traders are main players .NAFED purchases not even 10% of maize produced in Bihar .In absence of remunerative price there is no any possibility of increase in maize production because winter maize is produced for market purposes..
Maize cultivation has bright future in changing climatic scenario and liberalized global
Market but it should be promoted by atleast providing remunerative price and hassel free marketing environment