Maize, also known as corn, is one of the important crops cultivated throughout the world. In our country, maize is used as nutritious grains as well as animal and poultry feed, corn flakes, starch, glucose, biofuels such as rubber, engine oil, and other products. More emphasis is given to crop production that requires less water; in such a situation, maize cultivation is a good option. A good feature of maize is that firstly it requires less water as compared to other crops, and secondly, it being a carbon efficient, also reducing its footprint. Maize is a CLIMATE-RESILIENT CROP that can be grown easily in changing climates and soils. The inclusion of maize in mixed cropping systems can improve soil health and pest management. For all these reasons, the Government of India has been laying great emphasis on maize production for the last several years.
India's maize production has been continuously increasing in the last few years, making our country a leader in the global maize market. Maize in India is cultivated on about 9 million hectares of land across the country with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh being the important maize-producing states. Maize production in India is continuously increasing due to various government initiatives such as the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), as well as the use of new technologies in its cultivation. According to recent data, India's maize production reached 28 million tonnes in the financial year 2021-2022, and it rose to 34.61 million tonnes in the 2022-23 financial year (July-June). As per NITI Aayog, given the increasing demand for ethanol in India, the Government of India aims to increase the production of maize from the current 3.5 MT per hectare to 6 MT per hectare through the adoption of improved agricultural practices, hybrid seeds, and mechanization. According to a report, India's maize production is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.34 percent this year, which is slower than the pace of growth in consumption, expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.82 percent during 2021-31. Moreover, the share of maize used in animal feed is expected to increase from the current 51 percent to about 54 percent by 2031. According to a report, poultry feed prices in the market currently are around Rs 40,000 per tonne, which was Rs 36,000 per tonne three months ago. Market prices of maize have increased by 20% from Rs 22,000 per tonne to Rs 26,500 per tonne in the last three months due to increasing demand from the poultry industry and the government's focus on ethanol production. Given the failure in sugarcane production, the government is pushing for more grain-based ethanol production, especially from corn. Today, maize prices are ruling above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2090 per quintal for the current crop year (2023-24), as the poultry sector is witnessing an annual growth rate of around 8%. The production does not match the demand. The Government of India has set a target of blending 20% bioethanol into petrol and diesel by the year 2030. To achieve this target of blending, the requirement of food grains for ethanol production will be around 165 LMT. Globally, corn is a primary feedstock for ethanol production because it consumes less water and is easier to produce.
Maize production is continuously increasing in the country. However, due to low demand for maize, farmers are not getting a fair price for their produce. It is believed that the production of ethanol from maize will increase the demand for maize and this will give better prices to the farmers. Currently, due to export demand, maize prices are high, but generally, the market price of maize remains below the MSP, reducing the area under cultivation for the crop. The use of corn for ethanol production will ensure better prices and continued demand for corn will lead to more cultivation. Additionally, distilleries will also be assured about the availability of feedstock in the market, which will not only create a win-win situation for both distillers and farmers but will also be very helpful in conserving water and the environment. That is why the Ministry of Agriculture is continuously working to promote maize production by developing high-yielding varieties.
GM Maize vs. NON-GM Maize
Due to the increasing demand for maize and the pressure of higher production, today the discussion about genetically modified (GM) maize is gaining momentum. GM corn varieties are engineered for insect resistance and related trait value. According to the people who support GM maize, GM maize can play an important role in overcoming the agricultural challenges of maize. But The risks and apprehensions associated are not entirely unfounded. Cultivation of GM crops may face a myriad of problems such as biosafety, environmental impact, farmer autonomy, and consumer preferences. Hence the commercialization of GM maize continues to be debated on many platforms in India. Let us assess the concerns surrounding GM maize in India in more detail.
• Because GM corn has not been studied extensively, some agricultural scientists believe it may have potential environmental impacts, including risks such as genetic contamination, loss of biodiversity, and ecological imbalance.
• Further evaluation and regulatory investigation are still needed regarding the bio-safety and potential health effects of GM maize consumption.
• We need to understand that GM maize does not directly increase production; instead, it addresses immediate pest problems, thereby boosting yields in the short term. However, GM crops tend to lose their pest resistance over time.
• A major concern surrounding GM maize is that it may face a fate similar to that of BT cotton. BT cotton is the only GM cotton commercially cultivated in India. One of the primary objectives of the government in promoting its cultivation was to enhance farmers' profitability by increasing production at a lower cost. However, contrary to expectations, it escalated upfront costs for farmers and ended up bolstering the prosperity of select seed companies. Furthermore, India's reliance on seed companies producing BT cotton intensified.
• It is important to remember that India has the largest number of small farmers in the world, so keeping the interests of these farmers in mind is of paramount importance. Similar to BT cotton, after the adoption of GM maize, its patent and technology may become limited to the hands of a few big companies, which could lead to the seed sovereignty of farmers becoming dependent on multinational corporations in the future. This may have many far-reaching consequences in the future.
• GM corn varieties have been engineered to combat insect infestation issues in corn grown in the United States. However, it is not guaranteed that the same insect species causing infestation in US maize would pose a challenge to corn crops in India. The pest species impacting corn production in India may differ, necessitating the government to develop distinct strategies for their control.
• Adequate regulatory framework and biosafety protocols are required in India to control the cultivation and commercialization of GM maize varieties, ensuring risk assessment, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement with transparency.
• Maize production in major non-GM maize-producing countries like Ukraine and China is more than double that of India. Therefore, India is still able to increase maize production even without importing GM seeds by adopting best agricultural practices.
• GM maize is grown only in 19 countries. The European countries have banned the cultivation of GM crops. Therefore, if India also becomes a GM country, then the non-GM countries will stop importing from us, which can cause huge economic losses to the farmers of our country. Besides, our poultry industries will also become GM-based, which may affect human health. There is a potential risk that GM maize could also impact our other exports.
There are many hybrids of Indian maize, widely loved for their distinct flavors and characteristics.
• Indian maize varieties contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by maintaining a diverse gene pool.
• Indian maize hybrids have been adapted to local agro-climatic conditions, making them better suited for cultivation in India.
• Non-GM maize is often preferred for its taste, nutritional value, and suitability for local cuisine, thus contributing to food security at the local level.
• Cultivating non-GM maize can improve the economic conditions of farmers without compromising the sovereignty of their seeds. Given the numerous industries reliant on maize and the sale of maize grain and its by-products, farmers can earn profits with reduced risk and lower costs, thereby increasing their income.
• Maize-based industries include various agri-business opportunities including processing, storage, marketing, and distribution. Value-addition activities such as maize milling, starch extraction, and ethanol production create employment opportunities and stimulate rural economic development.
Solution and Diagnosis
Maize production, area, and productivity have been continuously increasing in the last several years. The government is also laying great emphasis on maize production. Currently, efforts are being made to promote the use of Non-GM maize varieties. For this, the following steps can be taken:
• Investment in research and development is necessary today to develop maize varieties that are high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant, and suitable for the agro-climatic conditions of India. India can become a world leader in maize production through technology transfer via cooperation between the government and private companies.
• Educating farmers about good agricultural practices (GAP) such as proper land preparation, timely sowing, balanced use of fertilizers, efficient irrigation methods, and integrated pest management can increase maize yields.
• To increase maize production, it is important to ensure that farmers have access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at affordable prices.
• To increase farmers' enthusiasm towards increasing maize production, providing market incentives such as price premiums or subsidies, loan facilities, and insurance cover for the cultivation of Non-GM maize can be effective.
• Increasing the area planted with improved single-cross hybrid seeds can result in greater maize yield compared to utilizing hybrids like double crosses and triple crosses.
• To enhance the Rate of Hybridization in India - Presently, the hybridization rate in India hovers around 65–70%, with Bihar and Tamil Nadu achieving the highest levels at 100%.
• Improvements in rural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, roads, storage facilities, and market connectivity can help farmers reduce post-harvest losses and ensure better prices for their produce.
• Support for farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives can also strengthen farmers' bargaining power and market access.
• Governments should implement policies that promote the conservation and sustainable use of non-GM maize varieties, including regulatory measures to prevent the spread of GM maize.
Conclusion:
Indian maize production plays an important role in the growth and economic upliftment of farmers across the country. Today, when the adoption of GM maize remains a subject of debate in our country, prioritizing the conservation, promotion, and sustainable use of non-GM maize varieties is important to ensure food and nutrition security, preserve biodiversity, and build resilience in India's agricultural systems. Efforts to further improve non-GM varieties and support farmers in adopting modern technologies and sustainable practices while protecting genetic resources are essential for the long-term sustainability of maize cultivation in the country. We must also ensure that modern technology will not cause any far-reaching side effects of genetically modified maize seeds. If this were to happen, future generations would never forgive us. We have also seen that Indian farmers are having a bitter experience with BT cotton where we are falling prey to the dual policies of multinational companies. Efforts should be made to support Non-GM farming practices and empower farmers to adopt sustainable farming methods suited to the Indian context.
By Dr. Mamtamayi Priyadarshini
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Comments (3)
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Good information regarding maize production.
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Good information regarding maize production.
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Good information regarding maize production.