Needs for crop diversification with maize in Punjab

Abstract

Maize is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice in India. Besides as food crop, it is consumed more as feed, fodder and large scale importance as an industrial crop. Worldwide maize is cultivated on over 185 million hectares in 170 countries with a productivity of 5.62 t/ha. USA and China contribute around 35 and 21 per cent of total global production, respectively. India ranks fourth in area and sixth in the production. The productivity of maize in India (3.1 t/ha) is much lower than the world average. However, per day productivity of maize in India is comparable to many temperate countries. In India the maize production has recorded phenomenal growth which was happened both due to area expansion and adoption of improved production technologies like inroads of hybrids and better crop management practices. Currently India produces over 28 million MT of maize, of which roughly 60% is used as feed (poultry and animal feed), 14% for industrial purposes, around 13% for food, 7% as processed food and 6% for other purposes including seed. Increasing demand for maize particularly in feed industry has contributed towards increased production. By 2025 India is projected to require about 32 million MT of maize solely in feed industry. Further, the starch industry will require additional 15 million MT by 2025 from the present level of 4.25 million MT. By 2025 the overall demand for maize is projected to be 50 million MT, which is a big feat to be achieved.