Agri dept to push for maize cultivation in state

Kolkata: The state Agriculture department has decided to conduct massive awareness campaigns in various districts to encourage farmers for maize cultivation. The government will provide technical assistance to the farmers in this regard.

The Agriculture department is going to rope in experts and scientists to provide technical assistance to the maize cultivators and ensure that maize cultivation increases in the state. Camps would be conducted in various North and South Bengal districts, making the farmers aware of the importance of maize cultivation and the necessary steps which are required to prevent the damage to crops.

State Agriculture minister Asish Banerjee said that the senior officials of his department will visit various districts to hold a review meeting, discussing various aspects related to maize cultivation.

"The experts will hold a detailed discussion with the farmers to convince them how profitable maize cultivation can be. How it may turn profitable for the farmers will also be demonstrated during the meeting. Following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's instruction, the Agriculture department is taking all possible steps to increase the maize cultivation in the state. Those who will be interested in maize cultivation will be given both technical and financial assistance," Banerjee said.

The minister also pointed out that the average income of the farmers in the state has gone up three times due to various schemes initiated by the Mamata Banerjee government.

During the erstwhile Left Front government, the average income of a farmer stood at Rs 91,000 per year, but the figure has now gone up to Rs 2,89,000, Banerjee maintained.

It may be mentioned here that the state government has recently received 'Krishi Karman' award from the Centre for significant improvement in maize cultivation.

A one-day awareness training-cum-workshop for the maize cultivators was held in Birbhum's Rampurhat in presence of the Agriculture minister and other senior officials of the department. As many as 700 farmers across the state joined the programme.

One of the main objectives of the programme was to sensitise farmers on modern technologies in maize cultivation and its prospects.