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Rise of Maize Production in India
Context:
Maize production in India tripled from 11.5 million tonnes in 1999-2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2023-24. Average per-hectare yields increased from 1.8 to 3.3 tonnes.
Maize: A Shift from Feed to Fuel:
- The Green Revolution in maize transformed the agricultural landscape in India, making it a major contributor to the country’s food and fuel security.
- Food Consumption: Only about 20% of India’s maize production is used directly for human consumption.
- Rest is used as feed for poultry/livestock, indirectly contributing to food consumption.
- Feed for Livestock: An estimated 60% goes as feed for poultry birds and livestock
Industrial Uses
- Maize grains contain 68-72% starch, essential for various industries.Starch Production: 14-15% of maize utilisation goes towards starch production.
- Starch has various applications in the textile, paper, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries.
- Ethanol Production: Maize is emerging as a feedstock for ethanol production.
- Maize starch is a mixture of amylose & amylopectin, the new waxy maize hybrid has 93.9% amylopectin, making it best suited for ethanol production.
- Maize starch is a mixture of amylose & amylopectin, the new waxy maize hybrid has 93.9% amylopectin, making it best suited for ethanol production.
Innovations, Research and Development in Maize:
- Waxy Maize Hybrid: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) developed a waxy maize hybrid with high amylopectin starch content, more suitable for ethanol production.
- It has an average grain yield of 7.3 tonnes per hectare and potential yields of up to 8.8 tonnes.
- CIMMYT’s Doubled Haploid (DH) Facility: CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) established a maize DH facility in Karnataka.
- It produces 100% homozygous and genetically pure inbred lines of maize.
- This technology speeds up the development of pure maize varieties and enhances the overall maize breeding process.
Maize: The Queen of Cereals
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