The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The maize cultivation is gaining popularity in Nourthern districts and the farmers are bringing more land under the cultivation of this profitable grain. The sandy sail and climate of the region is favourable for the cultivation and growth of maize during the summer and winter temperature that does not hamper cultivation of maize. It may be cultivated on high land round the year. The branches plants of maize with soft straight strem are shorter than that of any other variety of plant. There is little possible of any harm to the plants by storm and rain. Besides, pest attack is hardly noticed. Maize grades second to wheat in the world cereal production in European Community, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and South Africa are important producers of maize in the world.

Maize is used for the preparation of nutritious food, animal feed and fodder and several industrial products. Maize cultivation method is very easy and production cost is comparatively low.

It can be cultivated at any time of the year. Naturally, it gives the highest production during the rabi season from October to April and in Kharif-1 from February to June and in Kharif-2 from July to November. As the maize plants collect food and water for existence and maturity from deep layer of soil by long roots, they do not cause harm to other crops and soil fertility.

Local varieties of maize are Mohor, Shurva, Barnally and the high breed varieties are Sewra, Pacific-2 that can be easily grown for preparation of deligious and nutritious foods. Such as khai, luchi, puri, cake, sweets, bread and biscuits can be made with maize flour by mixing with wheat, flour. Corn oil is super fine edible oil of the world which extorted from maize and it is used for preparing action acid, alcohol, paint, artificial rubber, gunpowder, medicines etc.

The maize needs produce standard corn oil which is very useful for cooking purpose and the oilcake from the maize seeds can be used with fodder for cattle and fuel.

Besides, maize is the only crop which contains magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine etc. for this, it is regarded as enriched food. It may be mentioned here that the farmers of Naido Syedpur union under Sirajganj district started making molasses is from maize plant juice in the year 2006. The molasses like sugarcane molasses.

There is no problem of marketing and seeds of maize are now available in the market. As a result, the farmers of Northern districts are interested to maize cultivation. There are bright prospects of producing maize in all the Northern districts including Sirajganj.

Agriculture experts told this Correspondent that if the government come forward to remove the barriers in maize cultivation, the country will not only be self-sufficient in food production but also can earn a lot of foreign exchange by exporting maize and maize products.

The prospect of producing maize is bright in the country, specially in the drought affected areas of the northern district of the country. If maize is cultivated on a large scale it will help make a new economic base for the farmers of the northern region. It is expected that the production of maize will be increased like paddy and wheat. To boost the production the agriculturists have been working to find revenue for maize cultivation.

Maize is the staple food in subhumid tropical areas of latin America and Africa. Maize is largely produced, consumed and traded between industrialised countries. Maize is mainly used in the developing countries of human consumption.