Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates the administrative building at ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana

Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR) in Ludhiana, Punjab, during which he inaugurated the newly constructed administrative building and interacted with maize stakeholders, farmers, beneficiaries of rural development schemes, and members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The Union Minister also addressed a press conference, highlighting key central government initiatives and development programmes for Punjab in the fields of agriculture and rural development.

The event was attended by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Punjab Agriculture Minister Shri Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the central government’s foremost goals are to increase foodgrain production, reduce production costs, and raise farmers’ incomes. He noted that while India is fully self-sufficient in wheat and rice, diversification in agriculture is essential. “After wheat and rice, maize is the third most important crop in our country. Beyond being a food crop, it has multiple industrial uses. Maize can also serve as a sustainable alternative to paddy, conserving water while yielding better returns for farmers,” the Union Minister said. Shri Chouhan emphasised the importance of the Indian Institute of Maize Research, noting that its work has played a vital role in improving maize productivity and supporting agricultural diversification.

The Union Minister announced that the Central Government has released ₹74 crore for the free distribution of wheat seeds to compensate farmers for crop losses in Punjab. Funds have also been approved for mustard and other seed varieties. Additionally, under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, ₹222 crore has already been transferred in advance to the accounts of 11.09 lakh farmers. Assistance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) will also be provided to support farmers affected in the horticulture sector.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to Punjab’s recovery and resilience, Shri Chouhan said that the Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the flood damage in the state. The Central Government has sanctioned a package of ₹1,600 crore to support flood-affected families. Shri Chouhan announced that ₹1.60 lakh per family has been approved for the reconstruction of 36,703 damaged houses, including ₹1.20 lakh for the construction of houses, and ₹40,000 for labour and toilet facilities. He further urged citizens to prioritise Indian-made products (Swadeshi), stating that this would empower local artisans, retain wealth within the country, and strengthen India’s economy. “By supporting indigenous products, we not only promote self-reliance but also ensure prosperity for our local communities,” Shri Chouhan said.