'Maize cultivation proves effective on harvested paddy field'
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, June 07 2019: Cultivation of maize on the same paddy land where rice crops were cultivated has proved effective in some ways, reports our correspondent.

The plantation of maize on six acres of land, under the initiative of Fishery Department, Agriculture Department and W Panchamani of Haotak paddy field and National awardee Kh Shamu, which was taken up as an experiment to produce fish feeds for the Fishery department has proved somewhat effective.

Although the production was not successful on all the six fields, atleast one acre of paddy land has been successful in producing corns apart from providing a source of livelihood for people, reports our correspondent.

Altogether 50 people were temporarily appointed to work for the plantation.

According to source, a person can earn over Rs 3.5 lakh in 4-5 months by cultivating maize on one acre of paddy field, if necessary, steps and care are followed in the whole process.

The corns are sold at the market while the defective plants or those which could not bar fruits are then sold to Ima Diary for making cattle feeds.

Speaking to media persons, W Panchamani said that the plantation was taken up in coordination with the department concerned while necessary procedures were taken up to make the plantation work.

Unfortunately, with the lack of sufficient fund to buy sprayers and other equipment, the maize plantation worked on one field out of the total six.

Although the plan to produce fish feeds for the Fishery department failed, over Rs 30,000 has been profited from over all cultivation.

Maintaining that the maize plants, after taking out the corns, can be utilised in making cattle feeds, Panchamani said that the initiative has proven that maize cultivation can be successful and effective with proper care.

Panchamani said farmers can opt for plantation of varieties of crops suitable to the season, especially maize, on the paddy land which was recently harvested, instead of keeping it vacant and unused.

Panchamani appealed the authority concerned to provide proper source of water and erase the problem of water scarcity for farmers so that agricultural produce can be multiplied and improve State's economy.

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