Maize

News: The Agriculture Minister says that India aims to double maize output to 86 mn tonne by 2047.

About Maize

• Globally, maize 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
  • Climate:

• • 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: Maize 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.

Maize Production in India

• India is the 5th largest producer and 14th largest exporter of Maize in the world.
• Production: India’s maize production has grown from 10 million tonne in the 1900s to the current 42.3 million tonne.
• Yield: India’s average maize productivity stands at 7 tonne per hectare, with some states like West Bengal and Bihar performing above the national average.
• Producing states: The predominant maize growing States that contribute more than 80% of the country’s total maize production are Andhra Pradesh (20.9%), Karnataka (16.5%), Rajasthan (9.9%), Maharashtra (9.1%), Bihar (8.9%), Uttar Pradesh (6.1%), Madhya Pradesh (5.7%) and Himachal Pradesh (4.4%).
• Varieties: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 265 maize varieties, including 77 hybrids and 35 bio-fortified varieties.
• Major export destinations (2023-24): Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Thailand.