Agriculture Secretary: India's Maize Production Must Increase To 44-45 Million Tonnes In Five Years To Meet Demands

On Tuesday, the Indian government announced the need to increase country's maize production to 44-45 million tonnes over the next five years. This decision is in response to the rising demand for maize in the ethanol production and poultry industries.

During the 9th India Maize Summit organized by industry body FICCI, Manoj Ahuja, Union Agriculture Secretary, emphasized the importance of reducing losses in the entire maize value chain systematically.

"Currently, maize production in the country is in the range of 33-34 million tonnes. We need a quantity jump in the maize to 44-45 million tonnes in the next five years to meet the rising demand for ethanol and the poultry industry," Manoj said.

During an event, it was emphasized that there is immense potential in the maize value chain and that measures such as improving seed availability, establishing storage and marketing linkages, and fostering public and private partnerships should be prioritized, especially in light of the escalating threat of climate change.

Additionally, Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister, Abdul Sattar, declared that the state government is willing to provide support to private investors interested in investing in the maize value chain, specifically in the area of ethanol production, within the state of Maharashtra.

"If companies are keen to invest in the maize value chain, we are ready to support them as this will empower our farmers," he said.

During an event, Sattar, a government official, highlighted that Maharashtra has the second-highest number of sugar mills in the country after Uttar Pradesh. He suggested that farmers in the state could benefit from using maize to produce ethanol, thereby increasing their income.

Furthermore, Sattar urged private companies to establish warehouses in Maharashtra, which would enable maize growers to store their stocks and sell them at a better price in the future.

The event also saw the release of a FICCI-Yes Bank Knowledge report titled 'Transforming India's Maize Sector - The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations,' with the presence of high-ranking officials from Corteva Agriscience and Sammunati.

-PTI

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