Maize Acreage Rises Sharply on Back of Better Farmer Income

18-Aug-2025 12:50 PM

New Delhi. Due to strong demand in ethanol production along with traditional user industries/sectors, the domestic market price of maize remains very attractive especially from the point of view of producers and hence farmers are showing great interest in its cultivation.

During the current Kharif season, the highest increase is being seen in the production area of maize after paddy. Maize has actually become the new favorite agricultural product of farmers, whereas till a few years ago farmers were considering it as a burden.

Surprisingly, in some areas farmers are trying to increase the area of maize by reducing the area of pulses and oilseeds crops. During the last few years, there has been a huge increase in the sowing area of this important coarse grain.

The latest government data shows that the production area of maize has increased by 17 percent compared to last year and has reached 98 lakh hectares this time.

Its domestic production also increased by 11 percent to around 250 lakh tonnes during the 2024-25 season as compared to the 2023-24 season.

The central government is promoting maize cultivation in a big way. After rice and wheat, maize is the most produced food grain in the country.

Before the strong demand for ethanol production, the market price of maize remained sluggish and due to lack of government procurement, farmers were forced to sell their produce at prices much below the minimum support price (MSP).

But now the situation has changed. The domestic market price of maize usually remains around or above the MSP, due to which farmers are getting attractive income.

The central government has increased the MSP of maize by Rs 175 from Rs 2225 per quintal for the 2024-25 season to Rs 2400 per quintal for the 2025-26 season.

The government has set a target to increase the domestic production of maize to 10 million tonnes in the next five years so that sufficient stock is available for ethanol production.