IMPHAL, July 31 - Maize production will help in doubling farmers� income in the North-east as the region has enough potential tin this regard. This was observed by Dr SL Jat of Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) Ludhiana said on the sidelines of a two-day workshop-cum-brainstorming session here today.
�If we cultivate maize in a proper way as done in southern states of the country, it will benefit the entire region,� said Jat. In this context, he said, �Maize can provide food for humans, feed for livestock, nutrient for soil and subsequently it will indirectly help in reducing the cost of fish, chicken and pork in the market.�
The region has enough potential for baby corn and sweet corn varieties as the region hosts the soil having high organic matter. Interestingly, Nagaland is the highest maize producing state in the North-east.
NE region is facing shortage of employment generation due to less industrialisation. In such scenario, agriculture can be revived by introducing high-value region specific maize crops for employment and can help in minimising youth migration to cities besides improving famers� livelihood security, according to a scientific paper on �Significance of baby corn and sweet corn in NE India: Challenges and opportunities�.
Maize which is the highest growing cereals among all cereals around the world, especially in India after rice and wheat production, supports major food security in most of the fast growing developing countries across the globe.
