India’s maize cultivation is experiencing notable growth across various seasons, driven by increasing demand from sectors like ethanol production and animal feed. Here’s an overview of the current trends and their impact on the seed industry: Kharif Season Expansion In the 2024-25 kharif season, maize sowing area surged by 36%, reaching 41.09 lakh hectares compared to the previous year’s 30.22 lakh hectares. This expansion is largely attributed to the government’s ethanol blending initiatives and robust market demand, with prices ranging between ₹2,400-2,500 per quintal, surpassing the minimum support price of ₹2,225. Rabi Season Growth The rabi season has also seen a significant uptick, with maize sowing area. States like Bihar had set ambitious targets, aiming to cultivate maize on a record 10 lakh hectares in the rabi season. The state government emphasized the use of 100% hybrid seeds to maximize yield, planning maize cultivation across all 38 districts. (It would be great if someone can share the Rabi maize acreage in FY 24-25 especially in Bihar) Spring Season Adoption Farmers in Punjab are increasingly adopting spring maize cultivation post-potato harvest. However, this shift has led to a shortage of hybrid maize seeds. The sowing area is estimated to reach 3.5 lakhs hectare this year in spring which is almost 1 lakh hectares more than last year. Impact on the Seed Industry The escalating maize acreage across seasons has intensified the demand for hybrid maize seeds. The current shortage presents both challenges and opportunities for the seed industry to innovate and scale up production to meet farmers’ needs. Food for Thought How can the seed industry adapt to meet the rising demand for hybrid maize seeds across different seasons? Share your insights and experiences below!
