Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches 11th India Maize Summit, Unveils Plan to Boost Maize Production and Farmer Income
On July 7, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 11th India Maize Summit in New Delhi, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR). He announced the government’s new outlook in “Maize Revolution” to improve farmer livelihood, increase maize production, and strengthen sustainable agriculture, and the importance of their made partnerships and programs that are defining India’s maize compartment.
A Vision for Maize Growth
Minister Chouhan noted that the government continues to keep the approach “farmers first.” He provided an in-depth pathway for improving maize production using use better research, educating farmers, and modern farming methods.
In 1990, maize production in India was 10 million tonnes., and most recently there has been the production of over 42 million tonnes. The target is to get to 86 million tonnes by 2047, but this still needs to be accomplished. Currently, India’s average maize yield of 3.7 tonnes per hectare is still lower than the global average.
Lab to Land: Policy
As part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, 11,000 scientists and agriculture officers were deployed across 7,000-8,000 villages to work with farmers directly. The objective was to transfer scientific solutions from labs to farms, with a final goal of farmers adopting better practices.
Big Push for Maize in UP
Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi highlighted the success of the UP Accelerated Maize Development Program, a five-year state initiative, where maize was introduced as a crop for diversification, and this year maize was demonstrated on an area of 5.4 lakh hectares in 24 districts. This is confirmed with the satellite surveys.
The state average yield is now at 34 quintals per hectare and may go beyond 40 quintals for the current season. There are about 15 companies in maize processing, and the government is working on the value-added maize uses like fibre and alternative plastic.
Perspective and Trends in the Market
Dr. H.S. Jat, Director of ICAR-IIMR said to meet the E30 ethanol blending target by 2030 maize production must grow 8–9% per year to reach a target of 65–70 million tonnes by 2030. Improved maize varieties are being developed to provide higher starch and higher fermentable contents to improve ethanol conversion.
Subroto Geed, Co Chair of FICCI’s Agriculture Committee stated maize is more than a crop it’s part of India’s food security, as well as biofuel and livestock feed. He stated that what is required is better technology, a better seed systems and digital farming tools to convert India into a climate smart maize economy.
Sunjay Vuppuluri from YES Bank stated that maize is the fastest growing cereal consumption in India. In the last 10 years the area has extended by 31% and production has increased by 75%, but the demand is faster than the supply. Poultry feed is top user-components at 51%, and ethanol is using 18% maize.