Punjab farmers adopt baby corn as vital crop

The progressive farmers in the fertile Doab belt of Punjab are shifting to Baby Corn farming, considering the crops greater market potential.

Nakodar (Punjab), Sept 4 : The progressive farmers in the fertile Doab belt of Punjab are shifting to Baby Corn farming, considering the crop's greater market potential.

Baby corn, the tender de-husked young ear of the female inflorescence of maize plant, harvested before fertilization, is sweet in taste and crisp.

It is used for preparing soups, vegetable biryani, mixed vegetable, Chinese food etc., besides crispy salad and pickle.

Sawtantar Kumar, chief Agriculture officer in Jalandhar said that only in this area farmers have grown maize in over 12,000 hectares and nearly 200 acres of Baby corn.

While admitting to difficulties faced in directly marketing the crop, Kumar said that the government should soon come forward to help farmers in marketing the baby corn.

"We are encouraging farmers to grow diversified crops like baby corn. It requires less water and it yields good profits. The export value of the crop is good and its demand is high in foreign countries," said Swatantra Kumar.

The adoptions of new crops are not only helping farmers to yield more monetary benefits but local customers are getting fresh vegetables on lesser price.

It is possible to have three or more crops from the same piece of land as this crop matures in less than 60 days and staggered sowing should be done to maintain the supply as per market requirements.

Surinder Singh Chawla a farmer, who has harvested Baby corn in 20 acres, is planning to harvest 100 acres of land under the crop in future.

"This is the very first year of baby corn production here. Initially, we had a bit of difficulties. However, the net profit of the crop is much higher than other crops. I hope it will grow well and yield profit in future," he added.

Pardeep Vaid, General Manager of Ritz's Plaza said that people in Punjab are now also relishing the Chinese dishes, which use baby corn as an ingredient.

The available of Baby Corn from the local market not only makes it cost effective but also the sellers to sell fresh product to the customers

"Around 20 years ago baby corn was produced only in foreign countries. Still we are using canned corn but now we have come to know that Punjab farmers are producing baby corn," said Vaid.

This high nutritive crop is grown in very less water as compared to the traditional crops of rice and wheat. The Punjab Agriculture Department has also recommended farmers for the adoption of such vital crops under the crop diversification scheme.

However the farmers want to oust the mediators who come in between them and direct buyer. They are of the opinion that if they are able to sell their crop to the direct buyer they would make profit.

ANI