Maize in India: Production Systems, Constraints - AgEcon Search

17
With few exceptions, more than 50% of all maize
produced in both traditional and non-traditional maize
growing areas is marketed (Table 17). Traditional maize
growing areas marketed up to 80% of their produce,
while the marketed surplus in non-traditional areas was
as high as 96%. In contrast, the marketable surplus is a
mere 33% in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, and 35% in
Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
Farmers in non-traditional maize growing areas, as well
as in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, grow maize for
commercial purposes, i.e., a large portion is sold on the
market. In contrast, the crop is important for household
food security in traditional maize growing areas, where
a significant portion is consumed as food, especially in
poorer districts. Maize consumption as food, however,
has gradually declined over time, due to the availability
of cheaper rice and wheat in fair price shops. Also, 2-5%
of all maize produced is eaten as green ears, particularly
in Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh. Green ears have
become popular in urban areas and fetch high prices. A
quick maize crop for green ears earns high profits,
provides green fodder for animals, and clears land for
subsequent crops. These advantages can be realized
provided there is a good market close to the village.
Unfortunately, the maize production environment has a
poor network of markets and very low levels of
urbanization. Contract farming prevails in states where
maize and allied industries have flourished in the past,
especially in southern India. Such arrangements may
also help ensure better returns to maize growers in
other states/regions.
Dry, shelled cobs are used as fuel. Green leaves and
stems, from thinning the maize crop, are used as
animal fodder. Maize grain is often fed to dairy cattle,
whose milk yield is reported to increase by 20-25% if
fed maize grain. Maize gives higher conversion of dry
substance to milk, meat, and eggs as compared to
other cereals. Maize grain is either fed directly to
animals or is dried, milled, and mixed with other
ingredients.
Farmers are unaware of other uses of maize and its
products. Nor ar e they familiar with specialty maize
types and products such as baby corn, sweet corn,
popcorn, corn oil, and corn syrup. If these alternative
maize types and products could be introduced in
conjunction with assured markets and agro-processing
industries, this would go a long way towards improving
livelihoods of poor maize producers.
Table 17. Maize utilization and marketing (% of total maize production) in selected states of India, 2001.
Retained for home utilization
State District Grain consumption Green ear Animal feed Wastage Marketed surplus
Traditional maize growing states
Bihar Munger 10 2 5 3 80
Siwan 10 2 10 3 75
Begusarai 20 5 10 5 60
Madhya Pradesh Chindwara 40 3 5 5 47
Mandsaur 30 2 5 5 52
Jhabua 55 5 2 5 33
Uttar Pradesh Behraich 19 2 5 2 74
Hardoi 20 2 5 3 70
Bulandsahar 30 3 5 2 60
Rajasthan Banswara 30 2 5 3 60
Bhilwara 60 2 1 2 35
Udaipur 45 2 1 2 50
Non-traditional maize growing states
Andhra Pradesh Mahboobnagar 0 2 3 1 94
Karimnagar 0 2 2 2 94
Nizamabad 0 1 2 1 94+2 (green ear)
Karnataka Chitradurga 0 2 1 1 96
Dharwad 1 2 1 1 95
Belgaum 1 2 1 1 95
Source: IFAD-CIMMYT-India RRA Surveys, 2001.