“Maize Can Be an Alternative to Paddy”: Shivraj Chouhan

• Shivraj Chouhan inaugurates ICAR–IIMR Ludhiana building.
• Announces ₹74 crore for wheat seeds and ₹222 crore under PM-Kisan.
• ₹1.60 lakh per family approved for flood-hit homes in Punjab.
• Calls maize a sustainable alternative to paddy and urges support for Made in India products.

GG News Bureau
Ludhiana, 14th Oct: Union Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today inaugurated the administrative building at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR) in Ludhiana, Punjab.

During the visit, Chouhan interacted with maize stakeholders, farmers, beneficiaries of rural development schemes, and members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The event was attended by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan highlighted the central government’s focus on boosting foodgrain production, reducing production costs, and increasing farmers’ incomes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted that while India is self-sufficient in wheat and rice, crop diversification is crucial.

“After wheat and rice, maize is the third most important crop in our country. Maize is not only a food crop but also has multiple industrial applications. It can serve as a sustainable alternative to paddy, conserving water while giving better returns to farmers,” he said.

Chouhan emphasised the contribution of ICAR-IIMR in enhancing maize productivity and promoting agricultural diversification. He announced that the central government has released ₹74 crore for free wheat seed distribution to compensate Punjab farmers for crop losses, along with support for mustard and other seeds. Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, ₹222 crore has been transferred in advance to 11.09 lakh farmers. Additional assistance will be provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for affected horticulture farmers.

On flood relief, Chouhan stated that ₹1,600 crore has been sanctioned for the rehabilitation of affected families in Punjab. “₹1.60 lakh per family has been approved for reconstruction of 36,703 damaged houses, including ₹1.20 lakh for construction and ₹40,000 for labour and toilet facilities,” he said.

The Union Minister also urged citizens to prioritise Indian-made products, saying, “By supporting indigenous products, we promote self-reliance, empower local artisans, retain wealth within the country, and ensure prosperity for our communities.”