Industry leaders highlight urgent need for technological innovation and collaborative efforts to meet rising demand for food, feed, and biofuel
New Delhi, 7 July 2025 — In a significant discussion on India’s maize potential, leaders from the agriculture sector called for urgent action to transform maize from just a crop into a national imperative, critical for food security, livestock feed, and biofuel production.
Agriculture and President – South Asia at Corteva Agriscience emphasized the pressing need to boost maize productivity per hectare through cutting-edge technologies, resilient seed systems, and digital agriculture. “A collaborative ecosystem — where farmers, government, industry, and researchers work in sync — is key. By equipping farmers with the right tools and access, we can drive a self-sufficient, climate-smart, and globally competitive maize economy,” he said.
Dr H.S. Jat, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, set ambitious targets, stating maize production must grow at 8-9 per cent annually to reach 65-70 million tonnes by 2030, supporting India’s ethanol blending goal of E30. Dr Jat highlighted that ethanol already consumes 18-20 per cent of current maize production. He stressed the need for hybrids with higher starch content, to improve ethanol recovery from the current 38 per cent to 42 per cent. The institute is developing high-yielding varieties capable of 10-11 tonnes per hectare in rabi-spring seasons and 7-8 tonnes in kharif, with enhanced fermentable content of 64-65 per cent. He also underlined the necessity of site-specific mechanization, ensuring efficiency throughout the seed-to-seed cycle.
Sunjay Vuppuluri, National Head of Food & Agribusiness Strategic Advisory & Research at YES BANK, shared market analysis showing maize as India’s fastest-growing cereal crop. Over the past decade, maize acreage expanded by 31 per cent to 12 million hectares, while production surged 75 per cent to over 40 million tonnes. However, a growing demand-supply gap is emerging, with consumption rising at 6.7 per cent annually, outpacing production growth at 5.8 per cent. Poultry feed remains the largest consumer of maize at 51 per cent, followed by ethanol at 18 per cent, underscoring maize’s strategic role in India’s food and energy security.
During the event, the Hon’ble Minister felicitated progressive farmers for their outstanding contributions to maize cultivation, recognizing their role as crucial drivers of India’s agricultural transformation.
