Agriculture Department set to take trial of QPM variety
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2010: For the first time in Manipur, cultivation of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties is set to be taken up under the aegis of State's Agriculture Department over 1000 Paris of land on trial basis within December this year or January next year.

Announcing this at the occasion of inspecting the cultivation of Pushpa Early Hybrid Maize-II over one Paris at Sabungkhok Khaloubi Loukon in Imphal East district today, Cotton Development Officer (CDO) of Agriculture Department L Ibomcha said that composite cultivation of two hybrid varieties of QPM namely Shaktiman-I and Shaktiman-II with Shakti-I would be taken on a trial basis for the first time in Manipur.

Agriculture Department officials inspecting maize farming at Sabungkhok Khaloubi Loukol

On the significance of the QPM varieties which are to be cultivated on trial basis, the CDO explained that there is high content of Protein and Amino acids in these Maize varieties.

Consuming these Maize alone can meet the requirement of people who do not take meat.

After inspecting the growth of Pushpa Early Hybrid Maize-II, the CDO informed that the cultivation had been started on September 13 last and it can be harvested within 80 days.

So, by first week of December, the Maize in the field could be harvested.

He said that the seeds have been made available to the farmers free of cost from the side of the Department since August last and free distribution of seeds would continue till October.

The CDO expressed confidence that at least 2.4 metric tonne of Maize could be reaped from one hectare in Manipur.

MMS Plant Pathology of KVK Wangbal Dr M Thoithoi Singh, who was also a member of the inspection team, pointed out that for successful cultivation of Maize, seed treatment is essential before sowing and to protect the plants from fungus infection, Main Kojeb and Saimosainil should be used.

Associate Professor in Department of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, CAU Dr M Sumarjit, who was another member of the inspection team, suggested that since cultivation of Maize is suitable to areas where there is enough moisture, the paddy field which have been inundated in the recent flood and the crops destroyed should be considered for plantation of Maize to recover some of the loss at least.

After reaping the Maize, the remaining plant-stalks can also be used as fodder for cattles, he noted, adding that Cereals can also be planted along with the Maize.

The expert from Plant Health Clinic, Department of Agriculture Kh Nimai pointed out that Wahik is the most common pest that attack the Maize plants.

Daiclorophos should be used to control this pest.