Punjab’s agriculture is in a crisis. The groundwater is vanishing, paddy is choking the ecosystem, and farmers are trapped in a losing game. Diversification is essential—and maize is a promising alternative. But its success depends on honest policymaking, modern infrastructure, and scientific courage. So far, we are stuck in hesitation. It is time to break out of the maze of maize.
Let’s start with water. Spring maize, grown in March–April, needs 18–19 irrigations, almost equal to paddy. It’s not a solution, it’s a shift of the problem. But kharif maize, grown during the monsoon, requires only 3–4 irrigations, making it far more sustainable. Government must make this distinction official and back only kharif maize, especially in “dark zones” where groundwater has already collapsed.
But the bigger crisis is in the market. MLA Rana Gurjit Singh promised that maize would be bought at MSP (₹2,240/qtl). A digital portal—barsatimakki.com—was created. It was a bold and appreciable initiative. Yet, in mandis, maize is still being sold at ₹900–₹1,400/qtl. The reason? High moisture content, with no drying infrastructure. Farmers must dry maize on open floors. If it rains, their produce is ruined.
This is not a policy failure—it’s neglect. Until mandis have proper dryers and storage, no farmer will feel secure growing maize. The state must install these immediately as part of a larger grain infrastructure push.
The state also launched a ₹17,500/hectare incentive for shifting to maize. But it’s poorly publicised and bureaucratically tangled. The government must streamline it and extend it widely, especially in cotton-paddy belts like Sangrur, Mansa, and Bathinda.
Then comes ethanol—India’s great green hope. Maize can play a huge role in ethanol production for fuel blending. But here, technology and trade policy clash. The U.S. wants India to open markets for ethanol and GM maize. Meanwhile, India bans genetically modified (GM) maize, despite mounting scientific evidence that it is safe and significantly more productive.
This ban is hurting us. Countries like the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, and even Bangladesh are seeing up to 20–30% higher yields from Bt and GM maize, with lower pesticide use and greater climate resilience (ISAAA Global Status Report 2022). Indian farmers are stuck with outdated hybrids, high input costs, and low productivity.
The anti-GM lobby raises alarm, mostly emotional, rarely scientific. Let’s compromise: Allow GM maize only for ethanol production. It won’t enter the food chain. It will reduce pressure on land. It will raise farmer incomes. And it will boost India’s ethanol capacity for cleaner energy.
India already imports GM soybean and cotton. Why deny our own maize farmers access to the same productivity tools? Field trials under public institutions like PAU and IIMR can assess safety and performance. But endless delay is not scientific—it’s political cowardice.
What Must Be Done—Now
Enforce maize procurement at MSP in mandis, with monitoring and penalties for evasion.
Set up dryers and storage in mandis to solve the moisture crisis.
Discourage spring maize in over-exploited zones; promote kharif maize exclusively.
Expand and simplify incentive schemes for maize, with direct benefit transfers.
Allow GM maize trials immediately and permit its use exclusively for ethanol production, not food chain.
Punjab’s future cannot be sacrificed to indecision. Maize can be the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and better incomes—but only if we bring science, infrastructure, and political will together. The maze is real—but the exit is visible. The question is: will our leaders take it?