The area under coarse cereals has seen some improvement this Rabi season, mainly due to the significant increase in maize sowing. Although the area for jowar and barley has declined compared to last year, the total area under coarse cereals rose by 18,000 hectares, from 53.37 lakh hectares to 53.55 lakh hectares, which is also slightly above the normal average of 53.46 lakh hectares.

Specifically, maize sowing increased by 2 lakh hectares, from 20.36 lakh hectares to 22.37 lakh hectares. This increase helped offset the declines in other coarse cereals: jowar decreased from 25.46 lakh hectares to 23.58 lakh hectares, barley dropped from 6.71 lakh hectares to 6.62 lakh hectares,

and millet saw a reduction from 17,000 hectares to 13,000 hectares. Ragi remained stable at 68.69 thousand hectares.

A noteworthy development this season is the inclusion of small millets, sown in 16,000 hectares, whereas there was no cultivation of these last year.

Despite the increase in maize area, the demand and price for maize have risen significantly. The average market price for maize is now 500-600 rupees per quintal higher than the government support price of Rs 2,225 per quintal, driven by strong demand in the animal feed, poultry feed, starch manufacturing, and ethanol production sectors.

While the expected increase in maize cultivation was around 5-6 lakh hectares, the actual increase of 2 lakh hectares is seen as insufficient to meet the growing demand. The normal average area under maize this season is estimated at 22.11 lakh hectares.