New Delhi: Bihar Agriculture Minister Mangal Pandey has urged private sector companies to invest in hybrid maize seed production and warehouse facilities to support rising local demand. Speaking at a maize summit organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Pandey announced the state’s goal to plant maize on 10 lakh hectares this year, setting a new record, reported PTI.
Bihar, the fifth-largest maize producer in India, is witnessing more farmers shift to maize cultivation due to its higher market prices, which are currently better than the government-set minimum support price (MSP).
.“Maize is no longer just for food and livestock. It’s also powering our vehicles through ethanol-blended fuel,” Pandey said, pointing to the crop’s expanded use. The central government’s decision to allow maize for ethanol production has sharply increased demand, leading to the setup of several ethanol plants across the state.
However, this growth has brought two major challenges: a shortage of hybrid maize seeds and a lack of storage infrastructure. “We have a huge need for hybrid maize seeds. I invite private companies to invest in local seed production,” Pandey said, adding that a new policy would soon be introduced to encourage investments.
The minister also stressed the need for more warehouses, despite transportation improvements. He highlighted Bihar’s investor-friendly agriculture policies, encouraging businesses to take advantage of the state’s potential.
Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi echoed these concerns, noting that states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh currently dominate hybrid maize seed production. He called for more research into producing seeds in northern states, including Bihar.
Bihar Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal revealed that 99% of the hybrid maize seeds used in the state come from other states. He urged private companies to establish seed production facilities in Bihar to meet local needs.
As per media report by PTI, Bihar’s ethanol production capacity is set to reach 8.09 lakh kilolitres annually by the end of the year, with 15 ethanol plants expected to be operational. This expansion will require about 23.38 lakh tonnes of maize per year, further increasing demand for the crop.
To boost agriculture’s contribution to the state’s GDP, which currently stands at 14%, officials also announced that the central government has agreed to establish an Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) office in Bihar by December to promote maize exports.
