Maize in India: Production Systems, Constraints - AgEcon Search

30
6. Summary and Conclusions
During the last three decades, maize production in
India has markedly increased, largely driven by the
growing demand from the feed industry. This study
diagnosed the performance of maize in two distinct
production environments, identified production
constraints, and developed R&D priorities at the
national and regional levels.
Maize is grown in two distinct production
environments: (1) traditional areas, which are mostly
marginal and rainfed, and (2) non-traditional maizegrowing
areas, which are mostly commercial and more
favorable production environments. In traditional areas,
a large share of maize output is retained to meet
household food grain requirements, while in nontraditional
areas, most maize production is supplied
and sold to the feed industry. Yields in non-traditional
areas are much higher than the national average.
Production in these areas has rapidly increased as a
result of area expansion, crop substitution, and yield
improvements due to adoption of modern maize
varieties.
Rainy season maize yield levels in the traditional areas
(particularly Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
and Bihar) are lower than both the national and global
averages. Winter maize is emerging as a new crop in
Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Maize has also gained
importance in the non-traditional maize growing areas
of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Across India, less
area is planted to winter maize than rainy-season
maize, but yield levels during the winter season are
considerably higher and comparable to global averages
and yields in many developed countries. Similarly,
general maize yields in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
are much higher than the national average. Maize
production in these non-traditional environments,
however, suffers from lack of irrigation facilities, which
are essential, especially for winter maize.
Adoption of improved cultivars was common in nontraditional
areas and seasons but low in traditional
areas. Hybrids outperform local and composite cultivars
both in terms of yield and profitability. Hybrids are
popular mostly in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,
wher e the seed sector is strong. In other production
environments, there is only a limited area under
hybrids. Lack of short-duration hybrids, unsuitable
environment, and absence of a strong seed sector
impose major obstacles to adoption of hybrids in
traditional maize growing areas.
Far mers’ maize production problems were documented
in this study. Weeds, mainly Echinocloa and Cynodon
dactylon, are the major constraints to maize production,
followed by rats and termites. These four constraints
appear to be common acr oss production environments
and across all crops being grown in the region.
Caterpillars, water stress, stem borers, and weevils also
reduce maize production and must receive priority.
Other constraints were related to zinc deficiency, rust,
seed/seedling blight, cutwor m, and leaf blight.
Non-availability of hybrids and poor information
dissemination were found to be the principal socioeconomic
constraints. A strong seed sector and an
ef fective extension network would go a long way
towards augmenting income from maize.
Based on the existing constraints and research
opportunities, an R&D agenda was developed for
different regions. Three criteria were used for
prioritizing the research agendas: efficiency, poverty
alleviation, and marginality of the environment. Among
regions, the eastern region (the winter season under
irrigated conditions) should receive the highest
research priority, followed by the southern region, the
central and western regions, and the eastern region
(the high rainfall season). One of the most important
constraints common to all regions was non-availability
of good quality seed. Other researchable issues were
drought (terminal or occasional), moisture stress, and
water management. Among biotic constraints, Turcicum
leaf blight, post-flowering stalk rot, and stem borers
were most important at the national level.