Punjab Records 16.27% Growth in Kharif Maize Cultivation, Area Touches 1 Lakh Hectares: Khudian
District-Level Committees to Oversee Smooth Procurement; Farmers Urged to Bring Dry Crop to Mandis
Chandigarh, August 14, 2025: Punjab’s agricultural diversification drive has received a major boost with the area under Kharif maize cultivation witnessing a 16.27% rise this season — expanding from 86,000 hectares in 2024 to 1 lakh hectares in 2025, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian announced here on Thursday.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Minister assessed the status of the kharif maize crop and issued directions to ensure smooth procurement. He said that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the state launched an ambitious pilot project to shift 12,000 hectares from paddy to maize in six districts — Bathinda, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot — aimed at crop diversification and groundwater conservation.
To incentivise farmers, the government is offering ₹17,500 per hectare under this pilot, and 185 Kisan Mitras have been deployed to guide and support farmers during the transition.
For hassle-free procurement, S. Khudian has ordered the formation of district-level committees comprising officials from the Agriculture Department, Punjab Mandi Board, and Markfed. He urged farmers to bring dry maize to Mandis to avoid difficulties in selling their produce.
Administrative Secretary Agriculture Dr. Basant Garg stressed that moisture content should not exceed 14%, directing Chief Agriculture Officers and field staff to sensitise farmers accordingly to secure better prices in the market.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Ramvir (Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board), Mr. Kumar Amit (MD, Markfed), Mr. Jaswant Singh (Director, Agriculture), along with other senior departmental officials.