In the heart of Assam’s countryside, a quiet yet powerful revolution is transforming the lives of farmers—led not by machines or megaprojects, but by a humble golden grain: maize. Once grown sparsely across just 20,000 hectares, maize is now at the forefront of a science-led rural transformation that is reshaping agriculture, livelihoods, and industry in the state.
Sowing the Seeds of Change
The story began in 2016–17, when the ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, in collaboration with Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Gossaigaon, launched a series of demonstrations and training programs. The goal was ambitious—to test whether maize could thrive in the rabi season, using fallow lands left idle after the kharif harvest.
Initial experiments under the National Food Security Mission hinted at strong potential, with promising yields. Yet, without access to quality seeds, proper training, and assured markets, farmer participation remained limited—until 2022–23.
A Turning Point: APART Brings Scale and Synergy
The real breakthrough came in 2023–24. Backed by the World Bank and the Government of Assam, the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (APART) project partnered with ICAR-IIMR to bring maize to the forefront across 12 districts of the state.
The program rolled out 12 intensive training sessions for government officials, followed by hands-on guidance for over 520 progressive farmers, many from SC/ST/OBC communities. More than 3,200 farmers received field-level technical training covering seed selection, modern cultivation practices, pest management, storage, and market linkages.
The results were nothing short of transformative. Farmers reported average yields of 10.5 tonnes per hectare—a figure that caught the attention of policymakers and industry alike. Crucially, maize was not just a grain—it was a dual-purpose crop, providing high-yielding grain and green fodder for livestock.
From Fallow Fields to Ethanol Dreams
Assam’s rabi maize area exploded, rising from negligible levels in 2022–23 to 39,000 hectares in just one year. Overall maize cultivation in the state surged from 31,000 hectares in 2016–17 to 1.04 lakh hectares in 2023–24, with productivity jumping by 39%, reaching 5.14 t/ha.
This shift is not just about food—it’s about energy security. With the Government of India approving bioethanol plants with a total capacity of 1,025 KLPD (kilolitres per day), Assam will soon require 10–12 lakh tonnes of maize annually for ethanol alone. Yet, the state currently produces only 4–5 lakh tonnes, far short of the total demand of over 25 lakh tonnes for food, feed, and fuel.
To bridge this gap, ICAR-IIMR has launched a dedicated initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, focusing on the catchment areas around ethanol plants. With a projected addition of 3.0 lakh hectares under maize by tapping into rabi fallows and expanding irrigation, Assam is poised to become a maize powerhouse for the entire North East Hill (NEH) region.
A Model for Replication
Assam’s maize-led transformation stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable rural development. The state’s success demonstrates how science, policy, and community participation can converge to unlock the potential of even the most underutilized crops.
To sustain this momentum, policymakers must now invest in:
Expanding rabi cultivation on fallow lands
Establishing local storage and procurement centers near ethanol hubs
Encouraging private investment in maize value chains
Conclusion: Golden Grains, Growing Futures
From modest beginnings to a state-wide movement, Assam’s maize story is one of innovation, resilience, and collaboration. As maize continues to weave its way into the state’s agricultural and industrial fabric, it carries with it the promise of food, feed, and fuel security—not just for Assam, but for the entire North East. This is not just a success story. It is a blueprint for a new, self-reliant rural India.
(Source:ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab)
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