Maize Cultivation: Kernel of Prosperity for Indian Farmers

Maize, also known as corn, is the ‘queen of cereals’ due to its high yield potential and versatility. Maize is not only known for its consumption purposes but also as a raw material for fuel in industries and fodder for animals. Maize cultivation is gaining momentum in both traditional and newer regions, promising higher income, low input costs, and market flexibility. Farmers are increasingly choosing maize, cultivating diverse varieties beyond just the traditional ones, to boost profits. This is largely because maize requires less water and reduces carbon footprint, making it a carbon-efficient crop. Furthermore, it’s a climate-resilient crop that grows easily even with changing climates and adverse conditions.

Growing popularity of Maiza cultivation

India ranks among the top maize-producing countries in the world, with major states including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The crops are grown in all three seasons – Kharif, Rabi and Zaid in some areas. 

Also check: 5 monsoon crops in Gujarat.

Advantages of cultivating maize:

• It is a short-duration crop which is ready in 90 – 120 days.
• It can thrive in less water, and thus can be grown in drought areas.
• It has multiple market uses: consumed in food, animal feed, scratch, ethanol and biofuels, oil, and popcorn, etc. 
• It has dual purposes – grain and green fodder.
• Excellent rotation crop – reduces pest and disease build-up.

Popular maize varieties fueling growth:

Field corn: The most widespread, primarily for feed and industrial use. 

Flint corn: This is also called Indian corn; it has hard kernels, suitable for storage and some industrial applications.

Quality Protein Maize (QPM): Varieties like HQPM 1, HQPM 4, HQPM 5, and Vivek QPM 9 are increasingly popular due to their enhanced nutritional profile, benefiting both animal feed and human consumption programs. 

Sweet corn and baby corn: This is becoming very popular in India and is consumed daily due to its sweet and soft kernels. 

Popcorn: specific varieties for the snack food industry.

Drought-Tolerant Hybrids: The varieties like CIMMYT and UAS-R are developed to grow in stable yields under water stress conditions.

To get the real city mandi prices of various commodities, check out Surat mandi rates, Auraiya mandi rates, Pipariya mandi rates, and Damoh mandi rates on the Shuru app.

What you need to know to start maize cultivation

Soil and climate conditions

Maize can be cultivated in well-drained loamy and alluvial soils. It requires warm and sunny weather with rainfall of about 500 to 800 mm. Waterlogging can damage the crops; thus, proper drainage will give a high yield. To enrich the soil, FYM or compost per acre is recommended.

Seed varieties

High varieties of hybrid seed are giving better output. You can choose different varieties according to your needs:

Popular Maize Varieties in India

Variety	Features	Suitable Regions
HQPM-1, HQPM-5	High protein hybrids	Haryana, Punjab, UP, Bihar
Suwan-1, Ganga-11	Early maturing, drought-tolerant	MP, Rajasthan, Karnataka
Bio-9637, DKC-9081	Private hybrids with high yield potential	Pan-India
Shaktiman series	Multipurpose (grain + fodder)	Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha

Sowing time and nutrition management

Maize is cultivated in every farming season. Kharif: June–July, Rabi: October–November, Zaid: February–March. The main fertilisers used for high maize cultivation are 40% Nitrogen, full phosphorus and potash are used during sowing. Zinc and boron are used to improve kernel quality and cob size. Natural biofertilizers like Azospirillum are used for better nutrient use along with neem-coated urea.

Also read: SRI method of rice cultivation.

Irrigation, pest control and harvesting

Maize is sensitive to water stress during germination, silking and grain filling. Kharif crops need no irrigation except during dry spells, and Rabi crops require four to five irrigations. Drip irrigation is a good option, as it provides optimal water, conserves water and improves productivity.

Weeding during the initial 30 – 40 days is essential. Herbicides like Atrazine are popular, and mulching can help in moisture retention. The major pests are stem borer, fall armyworm, and shoot fly. 

Harvest starts when cobs are fully mature, grains are hard, and husks turn yellow. Cobs are dried in the sun for four to five days before shelling. Traditional varieties can give 15 – 18 quintals/acre, and hybrid varieties can give approximately 25 – 35 quintals/acre. 

Also read: 7 tips to protect your crops and soil for long-term benefit.

Government Support and Future Outlook

The government is recognising the strategic importance of maize and is actively promoting its cultivation by various initiatives. Schemes like “ATMA scheme (Agricultural Technology Management Agency)”, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and incentives for SRI adoption and seed subsidies are helping farmers to grow maize and sell it at a higher profit. 

A scheme in Meghalaya is “Maize Development through Cluster Approach”, aims to provide quality seeds at subsidised prices and encourage farmers to learn about advanced farming technologies. Digital tools for farming can help you increae yield with sustainable paractices.

With various domestic projects and government initiatives, maize production in India is projected to reach 86 million metric tonnes by 2047. This increase will meet the growing demands of the poultry sector, as well as the starch and ethanol industries. The government is prioritising non-GM maize varieties for ethanol blending. 

To achieve these targets, several challenges need to be addressed—including price volatility, limited access to technology for farmers, and weak regulatory frameworks. Still, with strong government support and rising farmer interest in mixed cultivation, India is steadily moving towards the adoption of high-yielding, stress-tolerant varieties, improved market linkages, and a more resilient maize economy.

Get state mandi rates in the Shuru app: check Chandigarh mandi rates, Bihar mandi rates, Andhra Pradesh Mandi rates, and Assam mandi rates.

Conclusion

Maize has traditionally been used in rural areas for consumption, fodder, and industrial purposes. But with the growing demand for more nutritious food, maize cultivation is on the rise. People are increasingly using it as a gluten-free alternative to wheat and rice. Additionally, its expanding use in various industries is further boosting its production.