Maize holds potential for diversification and livelihood security

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability and grown in diverse seasons and ecologies for various purposes. The introduction of single cross hybrid technology in Indian maize programme since 2006 resulted into productivity enhancement of 134 kg/ha/annum in the last five years although the coverage is still less than 25 per cent. It is known as queen of cereals because of its highest genetic yield potential and productivity among the cereal food crops. It is the only grain crop with many types like normal yellow/white grain, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn, quality protein maize (QPM), waxy corn, high amylase corn, high oil corn, fodder maize etc. It is an important industrial raw material and more than 3000 products have been made using maize directly/indirectly and provide large opportunity for value addition. It is a solution for emerging problems of depleting water table and terminal heat stress in winter crops. It is a potential crop for crop diversification due to its many types and intensification because of its wider row spacing and erect plant type having non-tillering growth habit, which can accommodate short duration pulses, flowers, vegetables, etc as intercrops. It also provides opportunity for farm mechanization and conservation agriculture, which results into timely farm operations, reduced soil erosion, improved soil health, reduced cost of cultivation and increased farm profitability. It is a solution to water scarcity and lowering water table in the Rabi rice growing areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and also for the low rainfall areas of upland rice in the states of West Bengal, Odisha …