BATHINDA, Aug. 11 -- The state government's maiden initiative to promote kharif maize as an industrial crop through a subsidy scheme received a lukewarm response from farmers, as the authorities achieved only 59% of the set target of 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) across six districts.

According to the Punjab government's initiative, aimed at encouraging crop diversification and conserving water, 12,000 hectares were to be targeted under the paddy-to-maize diversification plan in six districts: Bathinda, Sangrur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. Farmers adopting maize cultivation were to receive a financial incentive of Rs.17,500 per hectare. The government's move aimed to achieve twin targets-farm diversification and boos...