Maize acreage up 15% till July 21, seen heading for a new high as farmers expand area
Maize cultivation in India has surged 15% this kharif season, reaching 71.21 lakh hectares by July 21, up from 61.73 lakh hectares last year. States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana have seen major increases. Strong demand from ethanol and feed industries, along with better returns, is driving farmers’ preference for maize.
As more farmers eye maize crop, the planting of the coarse cereal crop has seen an increase of 15 per cent across the country till the third week of July. Per the Agriculture Ministry data as of July 21, maize has been planted on nearly 71.21 lakh hectares (lh) this year compared to 61.73 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
The increase in acreage has been witnessed across almost all States. In Karnataka, the largest producer of maize during the kharif season, planting till July 18 has increased to 15.23 lh (13.87 lh). Similarly, in Rajasthan, the area has increased to 9.34 lh till July 21 compared to 9.01 lh registered during the same period last year. In Telangana, the maize area as on July 16 stood at 4.49 lh (2.89 lh), while in Maharashtra it was 12.35 lh (9.75 lh) as of July 14. However, in Gujarat, the maize area was lower at 2.19 lh as on July 21 against last year’s 2.74 lh, as farmers are seen planting more groundnut.
Rahul Chauhan of iGrain India said farmers are increasing the area under maize as the demand for the cereal crop is strong from both feed and ethanol makers. Farmers have got good prices for maize in the past two years compared to other crops like soyabean and pulses and as a result, they are showing more preference to plant the cereal crop, he said.
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Source : The Hindu Business line
