1st International Maize Conference 2026 and Maize Cultivation in India

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News: The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 commenced in Hyderabad bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss maize research, productivity and value-chain development.

About 1st International Maize Conference 2026 and Maize Cultivation in India

IMC 2026 — 1st International Maize Conference
Source: IMC
  • The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 is a global forum to discuss strategies for advancing maize research, productivity and value-chain development.
  • Hosted by: It being hosted by India. 
    • Lead Organizer: The lead organiser is Maize Technologists Association of India.
  • Theme: Its theme is “Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World” (M4FS).
  • Focus: It focuses on high-yielding varieties and hybrids, improved nutritional quality, efficient resource utilisation, mechanisation, robust seed systems and maize’s growing role in food, feed, fodder and energy security.

About Maize

  • Maize, also known as corn, is a cereal grain that belongs to the Poaceae family.
  • Globally, it is known as queen of cereals because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals.
  • It is the second rated grain used collectively in the form of foodstuff or fodder. It is also used as animal feed in poultry.
  • Conditions required
    • Temperature: 25-30° C
    • Rainfall: 50-100 cm
    • Sowing season: In India, maize is principally grown in two seasons – Monsoon (kharif) and winter (rabi)
      • Kharif maize represents around 83% of maize area in India, while rabi maize correspond to 17% maize area.
    • Soil: It can be grown successfully in a variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam.
      • However, soils with good organic matter content having high water holding capacity with neutral pH are considered good for higher productivity.
    • It requires a comparatively lesser ripening timespan of three months.

About Maize Cultivation in India

  • India is the 5th largest producer and 14th largest exporter of Maize in the world.
  • Areas of Cultivation: Major maize growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Production: India achieve a record maize production of 55.09 million tonnes in 2025–26. 
  • Exports: The country has exported 1.25 million MT of maize to the world in 2025-26, valued at Rs. 3,357.54 crores/ 374.70 USD Millions.
  • Major Export Destinations (2025-26): Bangladesh (28.2%), Nepal (24.5%), Vietnam (22.0%), Sri Lanka (6.6%), and Thailand (3.3%).
  • Future Targets for Maize Production in India:
    • India aims to increase maize production from approximately 55 million tonnes to 75 million tonnes over the next decade.
    • The country aims to achieve a further 1.5-fold increase in maize productivity through technological innovation, improved crop management and efficient resource utilisation.
  • Maize Hybrids in India: There has been significant progress made in maize research and extension over the past five years, including the development of 329 maize hybrids.
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