Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) inaugurated the newly constructed administrative building at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR) in Ludhiana, Punjab.During his visit, he interacted with maize stakeholders, farmers, beneficiaries of rural development schemes, and women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Speaking at the event, Minister Chouhan highlighted the government's efforts to enhance foodgrain production, reduce farming costs, and increase farmers' incomes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He said that while India is self-sufficient in wheat and rice, diversification is essential.
"Maize, India's third most important crop, not only serves as food but has multiple industrial uses and can be a sustainable alternative to paddy, conserving water while providing better returns for farmers," he said. He also lauded ICAR-IIMR for its role in improving maize productivity and supporting agricultural diversification.
Union Minister announced several key initiatives for Punjab farmers. The central government has released Rs 74 crore for free wheat seed distribution to help farmers recover from crop losses. Funds have also been approved for mustard and other seed varieties.
Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 222 crore has already been credited in advance to the accounts of over 11 lakh farmers. Additional assistance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) will be provided to support horticulture farmers affected by adverse conditions.
Addressing the recent floods in the state, Chouhan said the Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the impact on families. The government has sanctioned Rs 1,600 crore to support flood-affected households, including Rs 1.60 lakh per family for the reconstruction of 36,703 damaged homes, with Rs 1.20 lakh allocated for construction and Rs 40,000 for labour and toilet facilities.
Union Minister also encouraged citizens to prioritise Indian-made products, saying this would empower local artisans, retain wealth within the country, and strengthen the economy.
The event was attended by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Punjab Agriculture Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian.
