Maize Sowing Begins in Lower Mashobra Amid Heavy May Rains
Following heavy rainfall in May, farmers in the lower regions of Mashobra block have begun sowing maize. Most are using traditional bull-driven methods, while some have adopted power tillers. Despite a growing inclination towards cultivating cash crops, many farmers continue to grow traditional crops to sustain their livelihoods.
This season, the Agriculture Department of Mashobra has provided high-quality maize seeds to farmers at subsidized rates. The varieties distributed include the single cross B 52 Gold, Maize Super, Hybrid Corn 9784, and Maize PG 2442.
Progressive farmers like Pritam Thakur and Atar Singh Thakur noted that bull-driven sowing allows for more effective line planting, which they find more beneficial than the row planting done with tillers. They also observed that the shift towards cash crops has led to a decline in the cultivation of traditional food grains, which were once grown to meet year-round household needs.
Dr. Ajab Negi, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department in Shimla, stated that maize is primarily cultivated in the Mashobra, Basantpur, and Tutu blocks. In other areas, it is grown mainly for corn cobs. This year, 113 quintals of various maize seed varieties were distributed to farmers with a subsidy of ₹20 per kilogram.
Dr. Negi further mentioned that Shimla district produces around 20,000 metric tons of Kharif crops across 8,000 hectares. Additionally, 378 quintals of Chari and Millet seeds were provided on subsidy to support fodder production for livestock.
