The Need for Consistent Growth in Domestic Maize Production

New Delhi. While India has established itself among the leading global producers of maize, the substantial rise in domestic demand and consumption necessitates a consistent increase in its production. Previously, India exported significant quantities of maize, but these exports have since declined sharply. According to available data, India exported approximately 3.7 million tonnes of maize in 2021-22; however, just three years later—despite growth in domestic production—shipments have fallen to less than half of that volume.

Maize, a prominent member of the coarse grains family, was traditionally cultivated to meet the needs of the livestock and poultry feed sectors, the starch manufacturing industry, and general human consumption—a context in which its market price typically remained moderate. Subsequently, however, demand for maize in ethanol production surged, leading to supply shortages for other industrial sectors.

Maize-based ethanol production rapidly overtook ethanol derived from sugarcane-based feedstocks, becoming the primary source. Currently, the government has prohibited the production of ethanol from sugarcane-based feedstocks, with the exception of 'C-heavy' molasses. Surprisingly, despite the rise in demand and consumption, maize prices have not seen the expected increase, nor has the government significantly raised its Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Official data indicates that for the 2025-26 season, India’s maize production climbed to an all-time high of 55.1 million tonnes—more than double the 23.67 million tonnes produced in 2014-15. This achievement positioned India as the world’s sixth-largest maize producer. Nevertheless, a sharp decline in domestic production is anticipated for the 2026-27 season.