Maize Farming in India: Cultivation Process and Market Value

Maize is an important grain grown by Indian farmers, commonly referred to as corn. It plays an important role in the production of industrial raw materials, food, feed, and production. Maize is produced throughout India in different states, starting from Utter Pradesh and continuing to Karnataka. This crop plays an important role in agriculture since it feeds millions of farmers in the country. 

Let’s learn the method of growing techniques, particularly the maize farming industry in India and its market demand.

Maize Farming Climate and Soil Conditions

Maize thrives in warm temperatures with fairly wet weather. It grows well in moderate conditions, and the climate must be between 21°C and 30°C. This plant is drought-resistant but can also develop in regions with high humidity. Yet, the best conditions are those in which the rains are distributed more or less evenly across the growing season.

This crop prefers and can grow in different types of soils, though it thrives mostly in volcanic soils. The most suitable ones include loamy, sandy, and alluvial soils with good drainage systems. For optimal growth, the soil must have a pH between 5. 5 and 7. 0. Therefore, in the case of acidic soils, the soil should be treated with lime to counter the acidity.

Cultivation Process of Maize

Maize production requires proper care and management for better yield. Let’s learn more about the cultivation process of maize :

Soil preparation

Soil preparation to an optimum level is crucial in the production of maize. Before planting, farmers should plug the field so that weeds are uprooted and the soil is turned over to 15-20 cm. This has to be done after ploughing to facilitate the uniform distribution of water on the face of the soil.

Advanced tools can ease the soil preparation process. A Lemken rotavator is very efficient when it comes to uprooting weeds and creating a good seedbed. Besides, it helps conserve time and ensure that the soil is enough as one waits to sow the seeds.

Sowing of Maize Seeds

Timing for sowing maize is crucial for successful crop cultivation. In India, maize is grown in three seasons: kharif, rabi, and spring. Kharif maize is sown between June and July, rabi maize is cultivated in October, and spring maize is planted in January. Using a Cultivator helps prepare the soil effectively for each season.

Farmers need to ensure that they adopt the best seed alternatives to improve yield. The seed rate varies around 20-25 kg per hectare. Seeds should be planted at a depth of 4-5 cm and planted in rows. Spaces between the rows should be 60-75 cm apart, and between the plants should be 20- 25 cm. 

Irrigation and Water Management

Maize is among the crops that are very sensitive to water stress at the time of flowering and grain filling. The plant is moderately drought tolerant but requires a constant water supply for best results.

During the kharif season, rainwater is the only source of moisture. However, if the rainfall is not uniform, an additional amount of water may be required in the form of supplementary irrigation. Low-pressure spraying or drip irrigation are some of the ways through which watering can be done efficiently to prevent water wastage.

Fertilizers and Nutrient Management

Like every other crop, maize needs certain macronutrients for growth and development. These macronutrients include Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A well-balanced fertilizer should be applied during different phases of the plant growth.

Farmyard manure or compost should be used to improve the soil’s organic matter content. Additionally, nitrogen-based fertilizers can be applied in three stages: vegetative, reproductive and flowering. Among the inputs that should be used at the time of land preparation include phosphorus and potassium.

Pest and Disease Management

Some pests that affect the growth of maize are stem borers, armyworms and aphids. Moreover, a few fungal diseases that affect the crops include downy mildew, rust, and leaf blight diseases that affect the Maize crops. To manage pests and diseases, farmers can adopt the following practices: 

• Use disease-resistant varieties.
• Crop rotation, a method of interrupting the cycle of pests and diseases, can solve this.
• Use bio-control agents such as neem oil or Trichoderma.
• Apply chemical pesticides and fungicides when they are required but minimze on their application.

Harvesting Maize

Maize is commonly harvested when the grain moisture content is 20-25%. Depending on the type of variety and the season of planting, the maize crop may mature in 90 to 120 days. Examples of maturity indicators include the yellowing of the leaves and the further ripening of the grains until they are hard. Maize can either be harvested manually or mechanically, depending on the farmer’s preference and available resources.

Market Value

Maize is probably one of the most consumed crops in India. Yellow maize is a staple food and is also classified as an industrial crop. In the food industry, maize is used to produce cornflakes, snacks, and popcorn. 

In the industrial context, maize forms a major input for starch, oil and biofuel production in this sector. Poultry and livestock farming also rely so much on maize as feed for the animals.