‘Pratap Baby Corn Hybrid-7’ Gains National Recognition; Identified for Approval in Four States, Set to Boost Farmers’ Income

Udaipur: The ‘Pratap Baby Corn Hybrid-7’ variety developed by Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology has been identified for national-level approval. This improved variety has been selected for cultivation in four major states—Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttarakhand—marking a proud achievement for the university.

The decision was taken during a three-day annual national workshop held from April 9 to 11, 2026, at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi (Jharkhand), organized under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Indian Institute of Maize Research. The workshop saw participation from maize scientists and experts from across the country, who evaluated various trials, improved varieties, and technologies.

A team of scientists from the university participated in the workshop under the leadership of Dr. Amit Dadhich (Project In-charge and Plant Breeder). The team included Dr. R. N. Bunkar, Dr. Ramesh Babu, Dr. Harish Kumar Sumeria, and Ramnarayan Kumhar.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pratap Singh expressed happiness over the achievement and congratulated the scientists. He noted that maize is no longer limited to grain use but is widely utilized in fodder, starch industry, poultry feed, oil production, popcorn, baby corn, and ethanol production. With the growing demand for baby corn—not just in salads but also in hotels, restaurants, fast food, and food processing industries—it is emerging as a profitable crop for farmers.

This is the first hybrid baby corn variety developed by the university, showcasing its strong commitment to research and innovation. Key features of ‘Pratap Baby Corn Hybrid-7’ include early maturity, allowing farmers to adopt multiple cropping cycles in a year, and high yield at relatively low cost, which enhances profitability.

Developed under the All India Coordinated Maize Project, the variety offers high production potential, superior quality, and strong market demand, making it a promising option for increasing farmers’ income.

Following its identification for national approval, it is expected that this variety will soon gain popularity among farmers and contribute significantly to maize production in the country.