Millet Maize DDGS Ethanol Int- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with a Hyderabad-based firm for the commercialization of its newly developed maize hybrid, PMH 17.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, along with senior officials including Dr. G.S. Mangat and Dr. Khushdeep Dharni. Developed by Dr. Surinder Sandhu, PMH 17 is a dual-purpose hybrid designed to deliver both grain and silage, with significant yield improvements over the earlier hybrid PMH 14. It provides an 8.5% higher grain yield (62.7 quintals per hectare) and a 3.3% increase in green fodder output, while also producing superior-quality silage that meets nutritional benchmarks.
One of the most strategic features of PMH 17 is its high starch content, making it particularly suitable for ethanol production at a time when India is rapidly pushing towards expanded biofuel use. The hybrid also demonstrates moderate resistance against key threats like the fall armyworm and maydis leaf blight, giving farmers a reliable option for sustainable cultivation. Officials highlighted that PAU’s maize hybrids are gaining traction among farmers and industry stakeholders, with PMH 17 standing out as a promising innovation. This commercialization initiative is seen as an important step in translating PAU’s research from laboratories to farmlands, ensuring farmers directly benefit from scientific advancements while strengthening India’s agricultural and biofuel landscape.
