Maize Cultivation In Maharashtra Doubles Due To Rising Demand For Ethanol And Animal Feed
Maize cultivation in Maharashtra has doubled to 4.84 lakh hectares this rabi season, driven by ethanol production incentives and rising demand for animal and poultry feed. While overall rabi sowing increased, jowar acreage declined. Higher maize prices, reaching ₹30 per kg, further motivated farmers. The Agriculture Department attributes this expansion to government policies and market demand.
Maize cultivation in Maharashtra has doubled this rabi season, reaching 4.84 lakh hectares, up from 2.58 lakh hectares. This surge is attributed to the central government’s push for ethanol production from maize and increasing demand for animal feed, poultry feed, and fodder.
According to the Agriculture Department, the state’s overall rabi sowing has increased by 10.59 lakh hectares compared to the average. While maize cultivation has seen a sharp rise, the area under rabi jowar has declined, whereas wheat, chickpeas, and pulses have seen moderate growth.
Maize prices had previously surged to ₹30 per kg, further encouraging farmers to expand cultivation. The Director of Agriculture (Development & Extension), Rafiq Naikwadi, confirmed that the ethanol policy and feed demand have significantly contributed to this expansion.
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Source : Pune Pulse
