The maize cultivated Punjab has become a twin -rich sword. The farmers of this state are fighting the water crisis, where its cultivation is a gift, there is also a curse. The maize crop is sown in two opposite seasons from the spring and summer, which means that water consumption is high from February to June. Carib weather with low water consumption, ie, from June to October, it operates almost equal to paddy harvest. In such a situation, farmers are confused about how to balance the benefits of this crop by protecting the water.
Makkah was favorite in the summer
According to the Indian Express Newspaper report, the area under the Vasantha maize has increased from about 1.50 lakh hectares of the previous year to 1.80-1.90 lakh hectares, according to the initial report of private companies and Punjab Agricultural University (PUU) officials selling maize seeds in Punjab. At the same time, its area has increased from 30,000 to 35,000 hectares in the last decade. It is interesting that the Punjab Revenue Department has not officially monitored the sowing of spring maize, as it is not considered part of the primary Kariff crop rotation.
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Why do experts regret
Ajay Rana, president of India’s Seed Industry Federation, cited market evidence that about 3,500 to 3,800 metric tonnes of spring maize seeds were sold this season. Due to the need for 8 kg of seed per acre, about 4.50 to 5 lakh acres of land is dedicated in Punjab. From February to June, there is a lot of water consumption in maize cultivation. In such a situation, this season its cultivation increases disturb the experts.
According to experts, maize of 5 to 19 irrigation is required to be sown based on soil type and irrigation systems from February to June. In such a situation, this is a huge burden for Punjab’s groundwater level to decline. Short -term rice varieties require about 20 to 21 irrigation, which is near the spring maize crops.
The argument of the peasantry, individually from experts
Amritpal Singh Randawa, a farmer who grows up in 42 acres of Hoshiyarpur district, says water consumption is reduced when Makkah is sown in the first fifteen days of February. Our soil is moist and maintained by maintaining water. We only need five irrigation until the end of June. After that, I do not grow paddy, but rather raising vegetables. For them, by doing this, they save the water.
When farmers sow maize in the soil with sand or mild structure, he says that they need many irrigation cycles. If they cultivate paddy again, it puts more pressure on groundwater. According to Randawa, water consumption from maize crop depends on many reasons.
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Repeat water requirements
At the same time, according to experts, farmers who grow maize in the spring follow 12 to 19 irrigation cycles. According to Dr. Amrik Singh, Chief Agricultural Officer of Kurdaspur, Vasant Makkah has a huge impact on groundwater reserves, as its maximum irrigation period matches the hottest months from April to June. PAU experts prevent farmers from sowing spring maize for a long time. He warned that its expansion was unstable. According to them, evaporation is high due to prolonged sunlight during these months, and in such a situation the crop should be given repeated water.
Paddy in the karip season
At the same time, the maize crop to be sown with paddy during this monsoon and harvest from the end of October to November is considered a better way to consume paddy. The Punjab government is also promoting it. However, in spite of this, there has been a decline in the maize -held area during the Carib season. For more than one decade, its part has increased from 1.05 lakh hectares to 1.30 lakh hectares. At the same time, it was 80,000 hectares in 2024.
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Why do farmers retreat in Carib
The state crop is less than 5.5 lakh hectares under maize cultivation recommended by experts, including PAU scientists as part of the diversity strategy. The maize, especially during the Corb season, gives much yields than paddy. The yield of paddy per hectare is 30 quintals and more than 20 to 22 Quints per acre. In addition, the Maize does not receive the convenience of government purchases such as paddy.
