India’s fields are turning golden with maize, as this versatile crop surges to the forefront of agriculture, driven by soaring demand for livestock feed, food, and biofuels. With a projected 5-10% rise in output for the 2025-26 crop year, fueled by expanded cultivation and supportive government policies, maize is poised to transform India’s rural economy and energy landscape. This article delves into the drivers of this maize revolution, its pivotal role in biofuel production, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future.
Maize, often referred to as the “queen of cereals,” is India’s third-most important crop after rice and wheat. In the 2024-25 crop year, total maize production across the kharif, rabi, and zaid seasons reached a record 42.3 million tonnes (MT), a 12.3% increase from 37.7 MT in 2023-24. This growth is largely due to an 11% increase in kharif season acreage, with 23.69 lakh hectares (lh) sown by June 27, 2025, compared to 21.35 lh the previous year. States like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have led this expansion, with Karnataka benefiting from timely rains that encouraged early planting.
The increase in cultivation is driven by strong market demand and a favorable minimum support price (MSP). For the 2025-26 season, the government has set the MSP at ₹2,400 per quintal, a 7.8% hike from ₹2,225 in the previous year. This price support, combined with steady demand from the poultry sector (where maize constitutes about 60% of feed costs) and the growing ethanol industry, has made maize a lucrative crop for farmers. As Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman of the Compound Livestock Manufacturers Association (CLFMA), noted to The Hindu Business Line, “When the government raises the MSP and maize is already a cash crop with strong demand, farmers are naturally inclined to grow more of it.”
India’s push for renewable energy, particularly through its Ethanol Blending Program (EBP), has positioned maize as a vital feedstock for biofuel production. The government aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025 and 30% by 2029-30. In 2024, maize-based ethanol accounted for 231.49 crore liters, or 76% of the allocated supply for the 2023-24 ethanol supply year (November to October). Industry estimates suggest that 11.3 mt of maize will be required to meet the 431 crore liters of ethanol ordered for the current season, highlighting the crop’s critical role.
Maize offers several advantages as a biofuel crop. Unlike rice or wheat, it is not a staple food, reducing concerns about the food-versus-fuel debate. It also requires less water than sugarcane, making it a more sustainable option in water-scarce regions. The Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) projects that by 2030-31, 21% of maize production will be used for ethanol, underscoring its growing importance. The government’s maize strategy, which includes MSP support, crop diversification incentives, and research into high-yielding seeds, aims to align cultivation with industrial and energy goals.
Despite the optimistic outlook, maize cultivation faces several challenges. Post-harvest issues, such as high moisture levels, aflatoxin contamination, and inadequate drying technology, threaten crop quality and storage. These issues can reduce the starch extractability critical for efficient ethanol production, as highlighted by the Grain-based Manufacturers Association (GEMA). Additionally, the Fall Army Worm (FAW) pest has historically impacted yields, though better agronomic practices and timely interventions have mitigated its effects in recent years.
The competition for maize between ethanol producers, poultry feed manufacturers, and starch industries has also strained supply, driving prices above MSP levels in some markets. In 2024, maize prices surged by 20% due to lower kharif yields and increased demand, with prices in Davangere reaching ₹2,309 per quintal against an MSP of ₹2,090. This has prompted the poultry industry to advocate for duty-free maize imports, including genetically modified (GM) varieties, to meet demand. However, India’s restriction on GM maize imports (allowing only non-GMO varieties from countries like Ukraine and Myanmar) limits supply options.
To meet the rising demand, experts suggest India needs a “maize revolution” to double production to 60-70 mt in the coming years. The IIMR and GEMA propose a three-pronged approach: reducing cultivation area by 10% through improved productivity, increasing per-acre yield by 20%, and boosting starch content by 20% to enhance ethanol yields. Adopting high-yielding hybrids, biotech traits like Bt/Ht maize for pest and weed management, and climate-resilient varieties could significantly boost productivity.
The government’s focus on improving storage, irrigation, and market infrastructure further supports this goal. For instance, Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister has encouraged private investment in maize value chains, such as warehouses, to help farmers store produce and sell at optimal prices. Additionally, digital crop surveys using satellite imagery and ground truthing, as initiated by CLFMA, aim to provide accurate production estimates, aiding policy and market planning.
The shift toward maize cultivation has broader implications. Economically, it benefits smallholder farmers by offering better price realization, especially with prices often exceeding MSP. Environmentally, maize’s lower water requirements compared to rice make it a sustainable choice, particularly in regions facing water table depletion. However, the shift from pulses and oilseeds to maize, driven by higher profitability, raises concerns about India’s self-sufficiency in these commodities. Balancing crop diversification with maize expansion will be crucial.
The surge in maize cultivation in India reflects its growing importance as a versatile crop for feed, food, and fuel. With a projected 5-10% output increase in 2025-26, supported by expanded acreage and government policies, maize is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s biofuel ambitions. However, addressing post-harvest challenges, improving yields, and managing competing demands will be essential to sustain this growth. By investing in technology, infrastructure, and policy support, India can harness maize’s potential to drive economic growth and energy security while ensuring agricultural sustainability.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Stay ahead in the dynamic world of trade and commerce with India Business & Trade's weekly newsletter.