Huge increase in maize area due to expectation of increasing demand for ethanol production

12-Sep-2024 10:57 AM

New Delhi. During the current Kharif season, not only has there been a good increase in the maize area as compared to last year, but the condition of the crop is satisfactory,

due to which the average yield rate is also expected to be better. As a result, there can be a significant increase in maize production.

In fact, the government is promoting the use of maize in the production of ethanol, due to which its wholesale market price has jumped above the minimum support price.

It is worth noting that till two years ago, maize producers had to struggle hard to get the support price, but now they are getting attractive prices.

According to official data, in the current Kharif season, till September 6, the production area of ​​maize at the national level has increased to a top level of 87.26 lakh hectares,

which is 5.31 percent more than the sowing area of ​​82.86 lakh hectares in the same period last year. Its area has increased well in important producing states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Compared to last year,

this time the sowing area of ​​maize has increased by 23 percent in Maharashtra and 16 percent in Madhya Pradesh,

while the area has also increased slightly in some other states including Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The director of the Ludhiana-based institute- Indian Maize Research Institute says that the condition of the crop is better due to good support of monsoon rains and hence its yield rate and total production are expected to increase.

The support price of maize has been increased by 6.5 percent to Rs 2225 per quintal for the 2024-25 season and despite the possibility of increase in production, its price is expected to remain high.