FICCI can help in finding new ways and possibilities of helping reach better technology
Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon, Minister for Industry Policy & Investment Promotion, Government of Madhya Pradesh recently said that to strengthen the maize value chain in the country, there is need for both government and private sector to work together under the PPP model.
Addressing the 7th India Maize Summit, organised by FICCI, Dattigaon said that the maize value chain has been impacted by multiple challenges like low farm productivity, improper storage, poor harvest, amongst others. “Looking at the increasing demand for maize in poultry consumption, breakfast cereals and industrial demand for starch, we have felt the need to set up small processing units to that effect. Focus is required by both private and government sectors and stakeholders for effective R&D in the maize value chain,” he said.
The minister further said that FICCI can help in finding new ways and possibilities of helping reach better technology, quality inputs, farm-level infrastructure development, and setting up quality processing units.
Prof Sharma noted that area expansion in the future is going to be a major constraint because of the competing usage of land for the agricultural and non-agricultural sector. “We will have to primarily focus on improving productivity of maize if we want to increase our production. Maize has a great potential for crop diversification,” he added.