India has potential to more than double its maize production to 86 million tonnes by 2047: Agriculture Minister
India can double its maize output to 86 million tonnes by 2047 without using GM seeds, said Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at FICCI’s Maize Summit. He urged seed innovation, improved starch and protein content, and crop diversification in paddy-dominant states. With rising prices driven by ethanol demand, Chouhan stressed farmer welfare, stricter input regulation, and enhanced productivity.
India has the potential to more than double its maize production to 86 million tonnes by 2047, up from the current 42.3 million tonnes, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday. He emphasized the need for developing high-yielding seed varieties with increased starch content.
Speaking at the 11th Maize Summit hosted by industry body FICCI, Chouhan noted that as the world’s fifth-largest maize producer, India must enhance productivity without relying on genetically modified (GM) seeds.
“We do not use GM seeds, but there is still scope to improve productivity,” Chouhan said.
He also emphasized maize DDGS, a byproduct of ethanol, and stated that we are working to increase the protein level in maize DDGS.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 265 maize varieties so far, including 77 hybrids and 35 bio-fortified types, but the minister pointed out that further innovation is needed.
“There is a need to raise the starch content in maize to around 72 percent from the current 65–70 percent, to expand its usability,” Chouhan added.
India’s maize output has grown steadily from 10 million tonnes in the early 1900s to 42.3 million tonnes today. To accelerate this growth, Chouhan urged states like Punjab and Haryana, which are traditionally focused on paddy, to diversify into maize cultivation.
He also noted that maize prices, which had previously fallen below the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 2,400 per quintal, have started rising due to the government’s ethanol blending target of 20 percent by 2025–26.
Raising concerns over the circulation of substandard seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, Chouhan called for a robust policy framework to regulate such products and penalize negligent suppliers.
In response to concerns from poultry industry representatives about rising maize feed costs, Chouhan said, “Let the farmers get their due price—we’ll address your concerns separately. The focus must remain on boosting production.”
Subroto Geed, President-South Asia at Corteva Agriscience and Co-Chair of FICCI’s Agriculture Committee, echoed the need for collaborative efforts and innovation to close the widening demand-supply gap.
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