Area under Maize and Barley Cultivation Expected to Increase

15-Dec-2025 09:03 PM

New Delhi: Although the wholesale market price of maize has fallen significantly below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2400 per quintal due to the strong arrival of new produce from the Kharif season and weak demand from the ethanol, starch, and poultry feed industries,

farmers remain enthusiastic about sowing Rabi maize. It is true that maize cultivation in the country covers a much smaller area during the Rabi season compared to the Kharif season, but it still makes a significant contribution to the total national annual production.

Producers are confident that strong industrial demand for maize will emerge sooner or later, leading to an improvement in prices.

As far as barley is concerned, it is a major coarse grain of the Rabi season, and its demand is usually strong. Farmers in Rajasthan received attractive and profitable prices for the barley produced last season, and therefore, they are showing considerable interest in sowing it this year.

Generally, the wholesale market price of barley remains higher than the government's support price. Rajasthan is the leading producer of barley, and all the conditions are favorable for the cultivation of this important coarse grain this year.

An increase in the sown area could lead to higher barley production, which would significantly boost farmers' income.