UP to double maize production by 2027

To bolster agricultural productivity and boost rural income, Uttar Pradesh is targetting to double maize production by 2027.

The goal is to elevate maize output to 2.73 million tonnes (MT) by expanding both the cultivation area and the yield per hectare.

The future of maize production is further bolstered by its potential in ethanol production.

The state has started the ‘Quick Maize Development Scheme’ with substantial financial backing of Rs 27.68 crore allocated for the fiscal year 2023-24.

This scheme is designed to drive advancements in maize farming techniques and boost production efficiency across the state.

Currenly, maize production in UP is almost 2.12 MT with cultivation spread across nearly 830,000 hectares.

The Indian Maize Institute, affiliated with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, is actively supporting the UP government to enhance maize farming.

As the third major food crop after paddy and wheat, maize’s versatility is central to the ambitious goal of doubling its production by 2027.

Maize’s adaptability allows it to be grown in all three crop seasons viz. Rabi, Kharif and Zaid, and in different types of land with effective drainage management.

Its benefits extend beyond nutritional value to industrial uses, including ethanol production, animal and poultry feed and medicinal applications.

Additionally, maize plays a significant role in the food industry, appearing in products like flour, dhokla, baby corn, and popcorn. Its diverse applications underline its importance and potential for growth.

As maize’s versatility continues to spur its demand, UP farmers stand to gain significantly.

To maximize benefits, the Yogi Adityanath government is proactively educating farmers on advanced maize cultivation techniques and increasing the rate of seed replacement.

Additionally, maize has been included under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme to ensure fair pricing for farmers’ produce.

Maize, often hailed as the ‘queen of grains’ is packed with essential nutrients including carbohydrates, sugar, fat, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Its rich nutritional profile positions maize cultivation as a strategic approach to combat malnutrition.

Experts suggest that advanced farming methods could boost maize yields to as high as 100 quintals per hectare.

Currently, Tamil Nadu leads with an average yield of 59.39 quintals per hectare. By comparison, the national average is 26 quintals, while UP averaged 21.63 quintals per hectare in 2021-22.

This indicates substantial potential for improving maize yields in UP through enhanced farming practices.

Given that ripe corn crops typically have about 30 percent moisture, proper drying is crucial to prevent fungal infections.

The state government is offering a subsidy of Rs 12 lakh on the purchase of a dryer machine priced at Rs 15 lakh, making it more affordable for farmers and producing organisations.

Additionally, a subsidy of Rs 10,000 is available for popcorn machines, with similar support provided for other maize sowing and processing equipment.

To promote maize production, the state is sending progressive farmers to the Indian Maize Research Institute for specialised training on advanced production techniques.

For optimal yields, farmers are encouraged to use improved maize varieties suited to their agro-climatic zones.

Tags: Maize, UP