Hyderabad, March 17: Maize production in the state has gone up with the government supplying seeds to the farmers at the appropriate time, said principal secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation, V Nagi Reddy.
He released the report on Maize and Maize-based industrial opportunities in Andhra Pradesh by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) here on Wednesday. The comprehensive report indicates various suggestions, recommendations and action plan.
Speaking on the occasion, he said most of the farmers prefer to cultivate the crop in the kharif and rabi reasons. “Andhra Pradesh is the second largest state in the country in the production of maize because the state government is taking necessary steps to ensure that the seeds are supplied to the farmers at the right time,” he said.
Shekhar Agarwal, president of FAPCCI said that as the scope for lateral expansion and increase in cropping intensity is limited, increasing the maize yield in the country is inevitable so as to meet the growing domestic and overseas demand. “Hybrid should be developed as per the specific requirements of different maize growing regions. The problems like drought, water logging, late sowing and poor rainfall conditions should be addressed while developing hybrids,” he suggested in the report.
The report also suggested that the state government must use machinery in maize production, provide demonstration facilities of the technologies, create incubation facilities at every district headquarters by involving the Krish Vignan Kendra (KVKs) and other related NGOs in public-private-partnership (PPP) model.
“To encourage entrepreneurs to take up production of maize products, it is necessary to convince the banks and financial institutions for accessing credit facilities,” Agarwal added.
–Agencies