(a) whether the Government is aware of the vast scope of areas under maize cultivation in the hilly areas of Odisha State;
(b) if so, the steps taken to develop the maize cultivation in the State;
(c) the ways in which the maize farmers are being assisted by the Union Government;
(d) whether any Central scheme has been launched for the purpose; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (e): Government of India (GOI) is aware of the vast scope of area under maize cultivation in the hilly areas of Odisha State. In order to encourage the cultivation of maize, GOI is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Coarse Cereals (including maize programme) in eight districts of the State. Under this programme, assistance is being provided to the farmers for cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices of maize & inter-cropping with other crops and distribution of certified seeds of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) & Hybrid Seeds for increasing the production of maize through area expansion and productivity enhancement.
Further, state government of Odisha is assisting maize farmers through central sector scheme, National Agriculture Market (eNAM) for facilitating maize trading at Regulated Market Committees (RMC). Besides, research efforts of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has led to the development and release of 26 high yielding and stress tolerant varieties/hybrids of maize for Odisha during the years 2014 to 2019.
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