Maize Output Seen at 500 Lakh Tonnes Domestically

18-Dec-2025 04:30 PM

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Maize Research has projected a significant surge in domestic maize production, reaching a new record level of 500 lakh tonnes in the current marketing season of 2025-26. This is 70 lakh tonnes more than the estimated production of 430 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

The institute's director stated that this year, not only has there been a tremendous increase in the area under maize cultivation, but there are also indications of a significant improvement in the average yield rate, as farmers have cultivated improved and better-quality seeds over a larger area.

A good increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP), high wholesale market prices, and increased demand and consumption from the ethanol manufacturing industry have provided ample incentive for farmers to expand the area under maize cultivation.

According to the director, domestic maize production is expected to grow even faster in the coming years. Production could increase to 700 lakh tonnes by 2030 and further improve to 1400 lakh tonnes by 2047. Since 2014,

domestic maize production has been increasing at an annual rate of 6-7 percent, while during the 2024-25 season, it witnessed a massive increase of nearly 12 percent. Strong demand from ethanol manufacturers is providing farmers with the opportunity to increase maize production.

Data from the Central Ministry of Agriculture shows that maize production in India increased by 15.2 percent to 434 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season. Kharif season production reached 283 lakh tonnes, a 14 percent increase.

Currently, about 50 percent of maize is used in ethanol production, while the government intends to increase its use to over 80 percent in the coming years. This will reduce distillers' dependence on rice and sugarcane for ethanol production.