Indian farmers will be hit if American corn imports begin
19-Sep-2025 06:29 PM
Nagpur. In the negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the United States, the United States has been insisting that India begin importing large quantities of corn from it.
It is worth noting that 94 percent of corn produced in the United States is GM, while only 6 percent is conventional varieties. India has a ban on the production, import, trade, and use of GM food products, and the government is unwilling to lift it.
This ban includes corn and soybeans. Previously, China was importing both these commodities heavily from the United States, but has now significantly reduced its purchases.
The US Commerce Secretary has stated that India should purchase American corn. If the Indian government decides to exempt corn from import duties, similar to cotton, it could severely impact Indian producers. However, some advocate allowing corn imports for ethanol production.
Maize consumption for ethanol production is rapidly increasing and this trend is likely to continue. Maize prices have remained strong for the past two years, providing a significant incentive for Indian farmers to increase their acreage and production of this important coarse grain.
Maize acreage has reached new record levels in the current Kharif season. If large imports from the United States occur, farmers may face significant difficulties in obtaining profitable prices for their maize.
While farmers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra are beginning to embrace maize as a better alternative to soybean and cotton, the issue of permitting its import from the United States has come to the fore.
American GM maize is relatively inexpensive, and its duty-free import into India could prove disastrous for indigenous farmers.
Maize has now become a major crop in Buldhana and Washim districts of the Vidarbha region and Chhindwara and Shivni districts of Madhya Pradesh. Maize acreage has tripled in Buldhana and Gadchiroli regions over the past two years.