Okara, Punjab: A notable increase in the arrival of maize (corn) has been witnessed at the Okara Grain Market, with farmers from surrounding villages bringing their freshly harvested crop for sale. At the same time, feed mills and commission agents are actively purchasing maize in large quantities, reflecting strong trading activity in the market.
According to agricultural experts, maize cultivation has expanded significantly in recent years across Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, and Pakpattan. The increase is largely attributed to a gradual reduction in the area under cotton cultivation, prompting many farmers to switch to maize as a more viable crop.
As a result of this growing trend, Okara has emerged as one of Punjab’s leading maize-producing districts, playing an increasingly important role in the province’s agricultural economy.
Farmers have called on the government to provide greater support for the maize sector by improving market access, expanding modern storage facilities, and introducing a fair support price policy. They believe these measures would help ensure stable incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and encourage sustainable growth in maize production.
Agricultural experts also stress that continued investment in storage infrastructure, marketing, and value-added processing will further strengthen Pakistan’s maize industry while improving the livelihoods of farmers across the region.
