India’s maize sector is at a crossroads, reflecting a stark contrast between government support and ground-level farmer distress. With over 1.69 crore operational holdings engaged in maize cultivation, the crop has become a strategic focus for food security, rural incomes, and coarse cereal expansion, according to the Agriculture Census 2015–16. States such as Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka lead in maize area, while West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana record high productivity.
The National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) supports maize cultivation across 28 states and two Union Territories, providing certified seeds, crop protection technologies, integrated nutrient management, and farmer training. Funding for maize and barley has grown to INR 92.57 crore in 2024–25, while the MSP for maize in 2025–26 was increased to INR 2,400 per quintal. Research institutions including ICAR, IIMR Ludhiana, and CIMMYT have developed over 315 high-yielding and stress-tolerant maize varieties between 2014 and 2025, enhancing resilience and productivity.
Yet, despite policy support and research interventions, farmers continue to face severe challenges. In Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, maize is being sold at INR 1,500 per quintal, far below last year’s INR 2,500 and even below the central MSP of INR 2,435, due to middlemen and trader syndicates. Local farmers, who have expanded maize cultivation to around two lakh acres, have petitioned the State government for procurement, highlighting distress and unfair market practices.
Officials have assured steps to procure maize for ethanol production at Gangaikondan SIPCOT, but the disparity between government initiatives and on-ground realities underscores persistent challenges in translating policy into farmer welfare. The situation exemplifies the larger paradox of India’s agriculture: robust policy frameworks and technological progress coexisting with market inefficiencies that leave farmers vulnerable.
