India: Jalpaiguri farmers embrace maize over potatoes

Published Dec 14, 2023

Tridge summary

The Jalpaiguri district Agriculture department distributed corn seeds to farmers in the Dhupguri Block to encourage them to explore alternative crops due to financial losses and difficulties with potato cultivation. Maize cultivation in the district has been increasing each year, with 14,050 hectares dedicated to maize cultivation in the 2022-23 season, producing 62,500 metric tons of corn. Farmers, such as Santosh Sarkar and Usharani Baidya from the Gadheyarkuti area of Dhupguri Block, have found that the cost of maize cultivation is lower, and with government support, they have a stable market, leading them to switch to maize cultivation.

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Original content

Recently, the Jalpaiguri district Agriculture department distributed corn seeds to farmers in the Dhupguri Block of Jalpaiguri district. Traditionally, after paddy cultivation, many farmers in Jalpaiguri turned to potato cultivation on the same land. However, in recent years, some farmers have encountered substantial financial losses due to unpredictable weather patterns and difficulties in obtaining high-quality potato seeds. Consequently, farmers have been encouraged to explore alternative crops, with maize cultivation gaining momentum in recent years. According to the Jalpaiguri district Agriculture department, maize cultivation in the district has been increasing each year. In the 2021-22 season, 13,100 hectares of land were dedicated to maize cultivation. This figure increased to 14,050 hectares in the 2022-23 season, producing 62,500 metric tons of corn. The department reports a yield of 52 to 55 quintals of maize per hectare in the district. Santosh Sarkar and Usharani ...

Source: Argenpapa