After a successful breakthrough in hybrid maize seed production, the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) is set to conduct trials for commercial seed cultivation in Punjab during the spring season beginning in February. The initiative follows field experiments carried out since 2023, which confirmed that Punjab’s soil and climatic conditions are suitable for producing hybrid maize seeds.
IIMR director Hanuman Sahay Jat said that nearly 95% of India’s hybrid maize seeds are currently produced in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading to higher costs due to long-distance transportation. Localised seed production in Punjab, he said, would reduce costs, promote maize cultivation, and help farmers improve their incomes.
Senior maize breeder Bhupender Kumar said a key field trial was conducted during the late kharif season in August in Moga district, where hybrid maize variety DMRH 1308 was sown on a farmer’s field. Prior to this, the same hybrid was tested for two consecutive kharif seasons at IIMR’s Ludhiana farm. Three years of trials at both institutional and farmers’ fields established that hybrid maize seed production is feasible in Punjab.
Kumar noted that seeds harvested during late kharif can be directly used for spring maize cultivation after potato harvesting, avoiding long-term storage and associated expenses. Farmers, especially potato growers, are now being identified for limited spring trials focused strictly on seed production.
Currently, Punjab depends entirely on southern states for hybrid maize seeds, which cost around INR 1,000 per kg during peak season. In contrast, local seed production and processing costs are estimated at INR 50–60 per kg, indicating significant potential savings. Progressive farmers say the initiative aligns with government goals of crop diversification and expanding maize cultivation for biofuel, while ensuring affordable, quality seeds for the state.
