Production Performance of Maize Crop in Punjab

The present study was primarily based on the time series data. The data on area, production and productivity were collected for the period of 1950–51 to 2013–14. The results revealed that the area under maize showed continuous decline during the study period except Pre-Green Revolution period, the compound annual growth rates of area were 3.01, -3.31, -4.69, -1.00, and-2.40 per cent in Pre-Green Revolution, Green Revolution, Post-Green Revolution, Liberalization Period-I and II respectively whereas there was a continuous upward surge in the yield of maize. The assured marketing for paddy, under the present price policy, resulted in squeezing out area from maize in favour of paddy crop. In addition, subsidized electricity in agriculture irrigation was also found to have positive influence in area under paddy in Punjab. The results further revealed that the yield remained the major contributor to the increased production of maize. The variability in area was highest during Green Revolution period (14.40) and lowest in Liberalization Period-I (2.71). Maize is more soil protective because it involves lesser use of fertilizers and chemicals. Also, it has shorter ripening period, 90 days, as compared to paddy, which takes 145 days to ripe. By cultivating maize, farmers can protect the worsening quality of soil, save 74 per cent of water and 70 per cent of power as compared to paddy.