The Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare & Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the newly constructed administrative-cum-laboratory building at the Indian Maize Research Institute (IIMR), Ludhiana, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The event was attended by dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Railways, Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab Agriculture Minister Shri Gurmeet Singh Khuddiyan, and Secretary (Agricultural Research & Education) & DG, ICAR, Dr. M.L. Jat, among others.
The inauguration coincided with a national consultation meeting involving over 1,000 maize stakeholders from across India, focused on strategies to enhance maize productivity and improve farmers’ incomes. The modern building, constructed at a cost of ₹37.56 crore, will support research in genomics, biotechnology, agribusiness enforcement, crop diversification, mechanization, and digital agriculture.
Speaking at the event, Shri Chouhan highlighted the increasing strategic importance of maize. “Maize is no longer just a crop; it has become the foundation of India’s food, nutrition, animal feed, industrial, and bioenergy security. The country has achieved self-reliance in agricultural production, and it is now time to replicate transformative progress not only in rice and wheat but also in maize, pulses, and other crops,” he said.
Shri Chouhan noted that last year, maize production grew by 10.5 percent, reaching 42 million tons, and that in the current Kharif season, maize cultivation has expanded by nearly 1 million hectares, with expected production between 47–50 million tons. He emphasized maize’s growing role as an industrial crop, contributing nearly 50 percent to ethanol production, which has significantly increased farmers’ incomes and helped save ₹1.44 lakh crore in crude oil imports, of which ₹1.25 lakh crore was directly paid to farmers. He added that maize alone has provided farmers with roughly ₹45,000 crore, marking a significant step in transforming India’s farmers from “food providers to energy providers.”
The Minister also announced additional relief for 36,000 families affected by recent floods in Punjab and reiterated that farmers will always remain the government’s top priority. He encouraged Punjab to lead by example, given the rapid maize productivity gains in other states, and urged the adoption of the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme at the individual farmer level for greater effectiveness.
A stakeholder dialogue followed the inauguration, with participants from the animal feed industry, hydroponic fodder, bioethanol production, agricultural machinery, and silage enterprises, discussing opportunities and challenges with the Agriculture Minister.
Speaking at the event, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary emphasized the government’s commitment to agriculture and expressed confidence that innovations from agricultural research would help increase farmers’ incomes. Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu highlighted the strategic significance of having research institutes like IIMR in Punjab, noting their contribution to strengthening Indian agriculture.
Dr. M.L. Jat noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Farmer Prosperity and Self-Reliant Agriculture” is being realized through multi-purpose crops like maize. He highlighted that organized maize research in India began in 1957 with the All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project, which was strengthened in 2015 to form ICAR-IIMR. The institute’s objectives include crop diversification, industrial use, and ensuring sustainable farmer income.
Dr. Hanuman Sahay Jat, Director of IIMR, shared that the institute has developed over 45 high-yield hybrid varieties, adopted by more than 30 private companies, and 24 bio-fortified varieties contributing to nutritional security. Over the past five years, more than 40,000 quintals of seeds have been produced, improving seed availability and promoting local employment. IIMR has also developed maize-based catchment areas in 78 districts across 15 states, positively impacting rural economies.
Following the formal event, a live demonstration on crop residue management was held at Noorpur Bet village, Ludhiana, showcasing technologies such as Happy Seeder, Smart Seeder, Super Seeder, and Super-SMS. Additionally, a visit to Doraha village highlighted beekeeping enterprises and business models, and a “Farmers’ Chaupal” facilitated dialogue among farmers, scientists, and manufacturers.
Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), briefed attendees on ICAR’s “Developed Agriculture Resolution Campaign”, detailing efforts to engage stakeholders at the grassroots level.
The inauguration and consultations underscore India’s commitment to advancing maize research, industrial applications, mechanized farming, and sustainable rural livelihoods, positioning the crop as a key driver of agricultural growth and farmers’ prosperity.
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