Maize Cultivation Stays Strong Despite Weak Prices

02-Dec-2025 11:35 AM

New Delhi. Although the strong arrival of maize during the Kharif season and weak demand from the poultry industry and ethanol manufacturers have caused the price of this most important coarse grain to fall well below the government support price, farmers' enthusiasm and interest in cultivating it in the current Rabi season remains intact.

According to available government data, the national maize production area has increased to 8.76 lakh hectares as of November 28th in the current Rabi season, which is 1.51 lakh hectares more than the 7.25 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

The normal average area under maize during the Rabi season is estimated at 23.61 lakh hectares this year, and given the progress in sowing, the total acreage under maize is expected to reach this level.

The total area under coarse grain production has also increased by 2.48 lakh hectares from last year's 26.58 lakh hectares to 29.06 lakh hectares this year. Along with maize, sowing of sorghum, finger millet, and barley is also increasing.

According to official data, during the current Rabi season, compared to last year, the area under sorghum production increased from 1.443 million hectares to 1.498 million hectares, the area under finger millet improved from 55,000 hectares to 56,000 hectares, and the area under barley increased from 4.27 million hectares to 4.60 lakh hectares.

The normal average area under barley has been fixed at 5.63 million hectares, while the sowing area is just 100,000 hectares behind. Farmers are showing great interest in sowing barley in Rajasthan, the leading producer state, which is increasing its acreage there. Producers are receiving better prices there.

Sorghum sowing had been lagging somewhat in Maharashtra, but now there are signs of improvement. Sowing of coarse grains will continue for the next several weeks. The normal average area under barley has been fixed at 5.533 million hectares.