India’s Green revolution in maize :
Maize is used as feed crop for poultry(60%) and livestock(15-20%) , human consumption (20%) , biofuels (ethanol production)and industries such as textiles, paper and pharmaceuticals .
Maize production in India:
— since, 1999-2000 production of maize has tripled from 11.5million tonnes to 35 million tonnes.
—- yield per hectare double from 1.8 to 3.3 tonnes on average
—- India is the 5th largest producer of maize and it 3rd largest cereal crop after rice and wheat accounting 10% of total food grains production in the country.
—- major state’s production: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir.
—- growing season: Kharif crop (85%) and rest through out the year.
Cause of maize green revolution:
—- Cross pollinating hybrid seeds of maize unlike self pollinating wheat and rice, commercially viable, 80% produce by private sector.
—- ICAR bred first waxy maize hybrid with high amylopectin starch content(soft), making better for ethanol production .
—- hybrid yields 7.3 to per hectare
—- maize double haploid (DH) facility in kunigal in Karnataka producing varieties with higher yield, tolerance to heat, drought, nutrient, pest attack, etc
—- private companies developing and promoting high yield maize
—- government initiatives such as NFSM, RKVY is also improving maize varieties.
