Punjab Farmers Test Local Maize Seed Production to Cut Costs

Punjab could become a new production centre for hybrid maize seed after ICAR successfully tested seed production on a farmer’s field in Moga district.

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, conducted the trial during the late Kharif season in August. Farmer Sharanveer Singh hosted the trial at his field in Gajiana village using the DMRH 1308 maize hybrid.

Most hybrid seed comes from southern India

At present, almost all hybrid maize seed used in Punjab is produced in southern India, mainly Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and then transported to northern states.

ICAR said the seed can cost around ₹700–1,000 per kg during the peak season. The long-distance movement adds to the cost faced by farmers in Punjab and other northern states.

The Punjab trial found that seed production and processing could cost about ₹50–60 per kg under the tested conditions. This creates scope for reducing some of the costs linked to producing and transporting hybrid seed.

The trial also showed that Punjab’s agricultural conditions can support hybrid seed production during the late Kharif season. ICAR plans to extend the work to the spring season and conduct more trials in farmers’ fields.

Seed production can offer farmers another income source

ICAR estimates that farmers could obtain an average seed yield of about 2,500 kg per hectare under the late Kharif seed production system.

The institute estimates a gross return of around ₹5 lakh per hectare when seed is sold at an average price of ₹200 per kg. After production costs, it estimates net returns of ₹3.75–4 lakh per hectare under the tested model.

These figures are estimates from the trial and do not represent guaranteed returns for every farmer. Actual income will depend on seed quality, production costs, contracts, prices and market access.

The system can also fit into a multi-crop cycle. After harvesting the late Kharif seed crop, farmers can grow suitable Rabi vegetables or pulses. Spring maize can then be planted, followed by a short-duration Kharif vegetable crop.

Punjab could reduce dependence on outside seed supplies

The experiment was first conducted for two years at ICAR-IIMR’s research fields in Ludhiana before moving to a farmer’s field. The institute reported good seed setting in the farmer trial.

ICAR is also testing similar seed production systems in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. The aim is to spread maize seed production across more regions instead of concentrating it mainly in peninsular India.

The institute has already been working to expand access to its maize hybrids. It recently began selling its own hybrid seeds, with consignments being sent to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal. ICAR-IIMR has developed 25 maize hybrids over the past seven years, with 15 more in the pipeline.

For commercial production, farmers will need access to proper seed drying, storage and processing facilities. ICAR has suggested developing seed villages involving Farmer Producer Organisations and self-help groups.

If the model expands, local seed production could reduce transport costs, create another business opportunity for farmers and improve the availability of quality maize seed in northern India.

The next step is to test the system across more farms and seasons. Wider trials will show whether the production and income figures can be repeated under different field conditions.