Knowledge Partner

Transforming
India’s Maize Sector
The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 1
2 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
TITLE Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations

YEAR April, 2023

YES BANK FICCI

Food and Agribusiness Strategic Mr. Pravesh Sharma, FICCI
Advisory & Research Team (FASAR) Dr. Baskar Reddy, FICCI
AUTHORS
Ms. Sarita Koli, FICCI
Ms. Divya Chhabra, FICCI
Ms. Priya Singh, FICCI
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Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 3
4 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Message

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops of the world focusing on
food security and sustainability. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-II is
meant for attaining nutritional security and maize qualifies as the wonder
crop among the cereals to cope-up with climate change and achieve
crop diversification.

It is the future crop for India which can further enhance the farmers’
income by ensuring sustainable use of natural resources in the
long-run. India ranks 4th and 6th in terms of global maize acreages
and production respectively. It accounts for nearly 10% of the food
production in the country and is the fastest growing cereal crop in India.

Maize has a prominent role to play in the Indian economy owing to its diverse usage, not just as food
but also for feed, fuel, and other industrial purposes. It has been projected that the demand for maize
will continue to increase in near future due to expanding market size of feed and silage industry in
the country. India has made significant strides in increasing maize production. However, with rapidly
increasing demand, declining farming area availability, and the impact of climate change there needs
to be a renewed focus on increasing productivity. Mechanized maize cultivation along with adoption of
single cross hybrids has the potential for enhancing productivity and profitability. In current scenario,
the need is to focus not only on production and productivity but also on building a competitive maize
supply chain.

Driven by structural changes in agriculture and food consumption patterns, maize is bound to hold
its share as an important cereal crop in future. Further, the partnership of the Public Institutions
and Private Sector is very much important for creating the successful Maize Mission in the country.
The study on maize is an effort to bring fore the global and domestic scenario of maize and issues
confronting the maize supply chain.

Mr. TR Kesavan
Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee &
Group President, TAFE Ltd.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 5
6 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Message

Given its wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions, Maize

is a most versatile crop and plays a prominent role in Indian economy.
It is third most important crop in India, after rice and wheat, and is used
as food, feed and industrial crop. Not surprisingly, globally maize is also
known as “Queen of Cereals”.

Besides providing assured raw material supplies for diverse end

uses, maize has huge potential to augment farmer’s incomes and
contribute to Government’s vision of doubling farmers’ income.
Though maize production has improved over the last few years, there
is still considerable scope to enhance productivity levels. Given the
pressure on land resources and usage, accelerated adoption of new
seed technologies, good agricultural practices, agronomic coaching for farmers, and most importantly
investments in research and innovation will play a key role in driving Indian yield levels to best in class
globally and reaching its full potential.

Empowering farmers with the latest technologies that can increase yield and decrease crop losses
due to pest infestation is crucial. Hybrid seeds have time and again demonstrated a lot of promise and
advantage over the conventional varieties and can help bridge the yield gap. Bihar and Tamil Nadu are
leading the way with 100% production area under corn hybrids. Planting high yielding single-cross
hybrids has brought marked improvement in yield, reaching about 8 MT/ha in Bihar – emerging as
trusted source for Corn supply in Rabi season. There exists significant opportunity for promotion and
adoption of hybrid corn in other states as well to achieve global yield levels.

Pests such as Fall Armyworm (FAW) continue to be widespread concern for Maize farmers. Seed
treatment solutions, integrated pest management and good agricultural practices can significantly
protect yield and bring down losses from 50% to 25%.

A sustainable roadmap to strengthen maize value chain needs a holistic approach and is need of the
hour. Adoption of new seed technologies by farmers will take Indian Maize to next level. Accelerated
adoption of better genetics and hybrid seeds, improved agronomic practices, increased farm
mechanization, integrated and sustainable pest management framework, knowledge sharing and
awareness generation are integral part of the same. This will require a multistakeholder approach with
the coming together of policy makers, research institutions and the private sector to develop strong
foundation to meet the future demand of Maize.

I congratulate FICCI and YES BANK team for this well-researched knowledge paper. I am confident
that this paper would act as a good reference document to understand key trends and technological
innovations that will define the Maize sector in the forthcoming period.

Anuja Kadian
APAC Government & Industry Affairs Director
Corteva Agriscience India Pvt. Ltd.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 7
8 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Message

The U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) mission is to develop markets, enable

trade, and improve lives, and to fulfill that mission, USGC works closely
with local feed manufacturers and other end users to build capacity
for more and higher-quality feed and grain demand. The goal of these
programs is to accelerate the sustainable growth of local industries
using coarse grains and products. In turn, this increases overall demand
for grain and meets rising demand from consumers for better food.
The Council supports free trade while understanding there are critical
constraints and challenges confronting end-user industries.

USGC is pleased to continue partnering with FICCI for the 9th year of the
Maize Summit and contribute to the Maize Vision report, which identifies
opportunities and challenges within the Indian maize industry and offers recommendations to grow
this sector.

In these challenging times, it is critical to develop and implement new approaches and technologies
that not only provide a growing global population access to adequate nutritious, safe, and affordable
food but also creates value-added products, preserves natural resources, and minimizes negative
environmental impacts.

The U.S. is the largest corn producer in the world, with over 90 million acres dedicated to corn
production. Although corn (or maize, as it’s known throughout much of the world) is grown in nearly all
50 states, production is primarily concentrated in northern and midwestern states—collectively known
as the U.S. corn belt. However, corn is much more than just a crop—it represents a source of income
for the hundreds of thousands of farmers in the United States. Its diverse uses create value-added
products like distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol, both of which helped revitalize
the U.S. farming industry and economy.

Nearly 50% of U.S. corn is utilized in animal feed (grain and DDGS) and food and beverages. Nearly
20% is exported (primarily for animal feed), and less than 30% is used in fuel. When taking into account
domestic and export demand combined, approximately 70% of corn’s demand comes from animal
feed, food and/or beverages.

Today’s seed and precision farming technology has allowed farmers to increase production on each
acre of land, and corn productivity is projected to continue to rise. Increased corn productivity enables
growers to outpace demand with a higher supply, meeting the demand for food, feed, fuel and exports.

We look forward to growing the U.S.-India trade relationship, and USGC and its partners are ready to
support Indian livestock producers and other end user sectors.

Ryan LeGrand
President and CEO
U.S. Grains Council

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 9
10 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Foreword

Improvements in agricultural productivity, coupled with enhanced

efficiencies in agricultural supply chain, form the bedrock for economic
prosperity and social development. Throughout history, technological
innovations have had a significant impact on building efficiencies in
food supply. While the green revolution led to increase in agricultural
production in the past, digital revolution has become a key driver for
sustainably achieving food and nutritional security going forward.
Adoption of improved technologies has positively impacted the maize
supply chain as well, leading to increase in farmers’ income, conservation
of natural resources and improvement in consumers’ access to quality
produce.

With a strong vision to positively impact farm production and farmers’ access to markets, the
Government of India is highly proactive in driving multiple new-age initiatives for modernizing
agriculture. For instance, the government has announced the “Digital Agriculture Mission 2021-2025”
which aims to support and accelerate projects based on new technologies such as AI, block chain,
remote sensing, GIS technology and use of drones among others. The Indian private sector is also
complementing these efforts by introducing efficiency building technologies and processes across the
maize value chain.

Though multiple technologies and innovations exist, the level of adoption on ground is yet to achieve
the intended scale. To ensure faster and wider adoption, a collaborative effort involving multiple public
and private sector stakeholders is crucial.

YES BANK is sincerely committed to play a catalytic role in the development of the Indian maize sector,
not just by serving as a value-adding banking partner but also by working alongside private sector,
government and industry associations for assimilating and propagating knowledge that contributes
to sustainable growth of this sector. Towards this, YES BANK is privileged to knowledge partner with
FICCI for the 9th edition of India Maize Summit, wherein this knowledge report on “Transforming India’s
Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations”, is being released.

I sincerely hope that this publication will be a useful reference for shaping strategic interventions
oriented towards building a highly efficient, technology enabled maize supply chain.

Prashant Kumar
Managing Director & CEO
YES BANK Ltd.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 11
12 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Contents
Executive Summary 15

1 Maize Outlook 18

1.1 Production 18

1.2 Consumption 25

1.3 Trade 27

1.4 Stocks & Prices 31

1.5 Estimate of production & consumption by 2031 32

2 Need for Tech Revolution in Maize Ecosystem 33

3 Key technological interventions across the maize value chain 35

3.1 Farm Inputs 36

3.2 Farm management 42

3.3 Storage and Post-harvest management 44

3.4 Procurement & Processing 46

3.5 Access to credit and insurance 47

4 Government support for promoting technology interventions 49

5 Recommendations for creating an enabling environment 56

to leverage technology for maize ecosystem

6 Abbreviations 61

7 List of Exhibits 63

8 Acknowledgement 64

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 13
14 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Executive
Summary
This report provides an outlook of global and Indian maize sector, highlights key technological
interventions across the maize supply chain, delves on various government initiatives that promote
technology introduction and puts forth select recommendations that could result in creating an enabling
environment for introduction and scaling up of innovative technologies that boost productivity at the
farm level as well as build efficiencies across the supply chain.

Maize is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. It’s resource use efficiency, including its ability
to tolerate drought and its relatively low requirement of farm inputs makes it a vital crop in regions where
environmental conditions are challenging or resources are limited. In 2021, global maize production
touched about 1.21 billion MT generated by farms spanning across 173 countries and covering a
cultivated area of 205.87 million hectares. USA was the largest producer of maize contributing to about
32% of global production, followed by China (23%), Brazil (7%), Argentina (5%) and Ukraine (3%)1. These
five countries contribute nearly 75% of the global maize production.

In 2021, international trade in maize accounted 16% of global maize production, with USA being the
largest exporter contributing to 37% of global exports (in value terms) followed by Argentina (17%),
Ukraine (11%), Brazil (8%) and France (4%).2 During this period, India imported roughly about 24
thousand MT of maize worth USD 14.20 million. The country’s maize exports amounted to 3.62 million
MT valued at about USD 935.61 million, a 2.4X increase in export value over the previous year.3 This
significant rise in exports was driven by surging maize prices across the globe, which made Indian
maize more competitive in the international market. In addition, the demand resurgence in the South
& Southeast Asian countries (for example: Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia) and lower supply from
traditional regions of Argentina, Brazil amid bad weather conditions4 further boosted maize exports.

FAOSTAT, YES BANK Analysis

1

FAOSTAT, ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

2

ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

3

https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/NewsSearch.aspx?newsid=43653
4

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 15
The year 2020-21 saw India produce 31.65 million MT of Maize. The lion’s share of this output came
from the top 5 maize-producing states. Karnataka was the leading state contributing 17% of India’s
maize production, followed by Madhya Pradesh (12%), Maharashtra (11%), Tamil Nadu (8%) and West
Bengal (8%)5. Collectively, these five states contributed to more than half of India’s maize production.

Over the last decade (2011-12 to 2021-22), domestic maize production has increased from 21.8
million MT to more than 33.7 million MT, growing at a CAGR of about 4.5%. Despite this growth, the
productivity of maize in India (3.07 MT/Ha) is still far lower than that of other major maize-growing
nations such as USA (10.51 MT/Ha) and Argentina (7.86 MT/Ha).6 It is likely that this productivity gap
is due to limited adoption of technological advancements across the maize supply chain. Historically,
conservation agriculture practices have been successfully employed in Indian maize-based cropping
systems to maintain productivity and profitability. However, to keep up with future demand and remain
competitive in the global market, it is essential to implement modern technology-driven practices
throughout the entire maize supply chain.

This report highlights the importance of specific technological interventions that can have a significant
impact on the maize value chain, leading to increase in production, reduction in wastage and better
availability of produce. These interventions encompass use of advance technologies for farm input
application, farming and harvesting, adoption of climate smart solutions, storage and post-harvest
management as well as modernization of procurement and processing. A snapshot of technologies
covered in this report is captured herewith.

FARM INPUTS FARM MANAGEMENT STORAGE &

POST-HARVEST
MANAGEMENT

• Hybrid seeds • Use of precision farming

• Seed treatment technologies • Adoption of
• Farm management mechanized drying
• Seed varieties for maize silage
solutions of maize
• Genetic enhancement
• Mechanization of maize • Use of modern
• Marker assisted technology &
farming practices storage techniques
genomic selection
and monitoring
• Drone usage • Connecting farmers with
systems
custom hiring centers
• Remote sensing applications
• Baling technology in
• Rapid soil testing • Digital platforms for
silage
extension services
• Smart irrigation
• Nanotechnology
• Digital marketplace

As per 4th advance estimates, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI
5

6
Agricultural statistics at a glance (2021), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI

16 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 PROCUREMENT & ACCESS TO CREDIT AND INSURANCE
PROCESSING

• Digital opening of accounts linked to aadhar

• IoT and blockchain-based
traceability solutions • AI powered farmer score cards
• Aflatoxin reduction
• Remote sensing and big data analytics for remote
through optical sorting
monitoring of farm performance
• Real-time online analysis
of quality parameters • Modern technology (such as drones) for rapid
assessment of crop damage

The Government of India, along with state governments, has taken numerous proactive steps to
promote adoption of modern technology and innovations in the agriculture sector. The government
has introduced various developmental initiatives and schemes that have a direct bearing on rate of
introduction and adoption of innovative technologies in Agriculture. Such initiatives include the National
Food Security Mission, the National Livestock Mission, National Project on Soil Health and Fertility,
National Agriculture Markets (e-NAM), National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeFP-A), PM-Kusum,
promotion of agritech start-ups, promotion of digital extension services and investing on Agri-Stack. In
addition to these initiatives, the Government has launched the Digital Agriculture Mission 2021-25 to
promote the use of digital technologies in agriculture. The mission aims to cover one million villages
across India, providing farmers with real-time market information, enable direct market linkage and
facilitate e-commerce platforms for agricultural products.

To ensure that maize technology interventions are being leveraged to their fullest potential, it is necessary
for all stakeholders, including policy makers, researchers and private sector to work collaboratively. This
report identifies five distinct action areas for identification, adoption and scaling of innovations and
technologies. They include:

Promoting Improving Devising Building Developing

public private adoptability effective necessary an enabling
partnership of new extension connectivity regulatory
to leverage technologies programs infrastructure environment for
technologies introduction and
adoption of new
technologies

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 17
 1

Maize
Outlook
Maize is an important crop for global food security and has played a significant role in the development
of human civilization. It is grown in around 173 countries7 in the world and is a significant part of
human and animal diet. In addition, it serves as a key ingredient in a plethora of products such as
starch, biofuel, protein, oils, beverages, sweeteners, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, gums and
paper among others. It is a resource-use smart crop having high production potential and lesser water
footprint, which underscores its suitability for addressing major challenges of declining water resources,
degrading soil health and climate change.

Globally, 1.21 billion MT of maize was produced across 205.87 million Ha in 2021. India ranks 4th
and 6th in terms of global maize acreage and production, contributing to about 3.96% and 2.13%
respectively.8 In India, maize is the third most important crop after rice and wheat and is predominantly
a kharif crop. It accounts for nearly 10% of the food production in the country (average of the years
2015-16 to 2019-20) and is the fastest growing cereal crop in India. Between 2010-11 and 2020-21, its
acreage, production and yield have increased at a CAGR of 1.5%, 3.8% and 2.3% respectively9.

1.1 Production
Over the last decade (2011 to 2021), global maize production has experienced a compounded annual
growth rate of about 3%, increasing from 923.63 million MT in 2011 to 1,210.24 million MT in 2021. The
area under maize cultivation has seen a 2% CAGR, growing from about 176 million Ha in 2011 to 206
million Ha in 202110. Projections estimate that maize production will reach 1,262.36 million MT in 2026
and 1,334.99 million MT in 2031, with a projected growth rate of approximately 1% (refer Exhibit 1).

FAOSTAT
7

FAOSTAT, YES BANK Analysis

8

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, YES BANK Analysis
9

10
FAOSTAT, YES BANK Analysis

18 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Exhibit 1: Projection of global acreage and production of maize for 2026, 2031

Global production (in Mn MT) Global acreage (in Mn Ha)

1334.99
1262.36
1210.24
211
207
206

2021 2026 2031 2021 2026 2031

Source: FAOSTAT, OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031 ), YES BANK Analysis

USA was the largest producer of maize contributing to about 32% of global production, followed by
China (23%), Brazil (7%), Argentina (5%) and Ukraine (3%). Together these countries contribute nearly
three quarters of the global maize production11. The global production outlook for the 5 key producing
countries is detailed in the exhibit 2.

Exhibit 2: Key maize growing countries and their export projection for 2022/23

USA

• USA is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of maize.

• The states of Iowa and Illinois together account for one-third of the
US maize crop.
• Total production of the country is expected to be about 349 Mn MT.
• Export is estimated to reach 49 Mn MT which is nearly 14 Mn MT
lesser than 2021/22 owing to stiff competition from other exporting
nations and lesser planting due to increase in input prices.

China

• China’s maize production is pegged at 277 Mn MT

• No significant export due to growing domestic feed usage.
• The resurgence in consumption of maize due to increased feed
demand (post African Swine Fever) has propelled the country to be an
important producer and importer of maize.

FAOSTAT, YES BANK Analysis

10

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 19
Brazil

• Brazilian maize production has risen significantly during the past year and is
expected to touch 125 Mn MT in 2022/23.
• The country is expected to supply 50 Mn MT owing to decrease in domestic
use of maize.
• The only other time Brazil exports exceeded USA was during the drought
year of 2012-13.

Argentina

• Maize production in Argentina is estimated to reach 47 Mn MT, 5% lower compared

to last year (2021/22).
• This decrease is attributed mainly to hot and dry conditions during tasseling and
harvest of early planted maize for silage purpose.

Ukraine
• Ukraine has been able to export significant amount of maize under the Black
Sea grain initiative, drawing mainly from its accumulated stocks.
• This year the projected production in Ukraine amid continuing war situation
is expected to be 27 Mn MT, with an export projection to the tune of 21 to 23
Mn MT. This value is almost 20% lesser than of what was being exported in
2021/22

Others

• South Africa is expected to produce 17 Mn MT.

• Other countries such as Philippines, Vietnam and Uzbekistan are forecasted
to have better maize production and are expected to offset the decline in
Argentinian maize supply to a certain extent.

The projections are based on aggregate of local marketing years.

Source: WASDE February 2023 edition; https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn-and-other-feed-grains

In India, maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country. Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra which were earlier non-traditional maize producing states have now become top
producers of maize witnessing a significant increase in their acreage and production. In the year 2020-
21, maize production stood at 31.65 million MT12 growing at the rate of about 4% CAGR from 21.72
million MT in 2010-1113. Karnataka was the leading maize-producing state contributing 17% of India’s
maize production, followed by Madhya Pradesh (12%), Maharashtra (11%), Tamil Nadu (8%) and West

As per 4th advance estimates, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI
12

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India

13

20 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Bengal (8%)14. Collectively, these five states contributed to more than half of India’s maize production
(refer Exhibit 3 below).

As per 2nd advance estimates (of February 2023), the production in 2022-23 is pegged at 34.61 million
MT against 33.73 million MT for the year 2021-2215.

Exhibit 3: Outlook of maize production in India

Production (in Mn MT) Acreage (in Mn Ha)

37.02
34.21
33.73

9.85 9.88
9.80

2021 2026 2031 2021 2026 2031

Karnataka
17%

Others
44%
Madhya Pradesh
Production 12%
(2021)

Maharashtra
11%

Tamil Nadu
West Bengal 8%
8%

Source:https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/kharif-sowing-ends-with-08-drop-in-total-acreage/
article65955378.ece; https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/explained-economics-agriculture-
and-employment-8480945/; https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1832174;https://agricoop.gov.in/
Documents/CropSituation/crops_20012023.pdf; Industry discussions, OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-31), Ministry
of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, YES BANK Analysis

As per 4th advance estimates, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI
14

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India

15

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 21
 9 Acreage: Higher acreage expected, driven by higher prevailing prices. For instance, the net area
sown under maize in rabi season of 2022-23 grew by 3.35 lakh Ha over 2021-22.

9 Inputs:
• Seeds: Growing preference of hybrid maize over open pollinated varieties
• Fertilizers: Amid uncertain supply from Russia prices remain on the higher end and are
expected to grow
• Agro-chemicals: Demand remains strong amid pest infestation
• Labour availability: As per latest PLFS report (2021-22) farm sector’s share in country’s
employed labour force has decreased since 2020-21
• Amount of rainfall: Less than normal rainfall is expected due to effect of El Nino

9 Price expectations: Mandi prices are expected to increase. Feb ’22 vs Feb ’21 prices recorded
a 28% jump

9 MSP & procurement policies: Domestic demand is expected to grow by 2% year on year and
MSP for kharif maize (2022-23) has been fixed at INR 1,962 per quintal which is about 5% higher
than the 2021-22 value.

As a country, India has made significant strides in increasing maize production. However, with rapidly
increasing demand, declining farming area availability, and the impact of climate change there needs to
be a renewed focus on increasing productivity from available land to satiate domestic needs.

Over the last decade, global average productivity has grown from 5.25 MT/Ha (2011) to 5.96 MT/Ha
(2021) at a CAGR of 1.3%16. In the year 2021, among the top ten maize producing countries, highest
yields were recorded by USA with average productivity of 10.51 MT/Ha followed by Argentina at 7.86 MT/
Ha. India’s maize productivity reached 3.07 MT/Ha. Exhibit 4 below indicates the untapped productivity
potential of maize in India when compared to key producing nations.

Exhibit 4: Average yield of maize across key producing countries

Productivity (in MT/Ha)

10.51

7.86 Potential for

7.20
6.50 6.32 productivity
5.81 5.77 5.70 5.44
4.07 improvement
3.07

USA Argentina Ukraine Romania China World Brazil Russian Indonesia Mexico India

Source: Agricultural statistics at a glance (2021), YES BANK Analysis

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis

16

22 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
GM Maize
In 2019, biotech maize was grown on 61 million Ha globally, representing almost one-third (31%) of the
total area under maize (refer Exhibit 5). GM maize has had a significant impact on maize production
in many countries such as USA and Brazil, where about 90% of the maize growing area is under GM
cultivation. These countries are currently self-sufficient in maize production and are net exporters of
the commodity, with the use of GM maize likely being a key contributor to their high productivity.
Many developing countries are also increasingly adopting GM maize, recognizing its importance in
achieving required production levels and providing economic, environmental and social benefits. Maize
farmers in many countries already have access to GM seeds with a diverse range of traits such as
herbicide tolerance, multiple insect resistance, drought tolerance, enhanced lysine, modified amylase,
and male sterility. Advanced R&D is currently focused on developing other important traits such as next
generation of nitrogen use efficiency, low phytate, high oil and biofortification, among others.

Exhibit 5: Overview of GM maize

GM maize
In 2019, Biotech maize occupied about
61 Mn Ha globally (32% of the total area
under maize)

India
9 In India, GM maize is yet to be
approved for cultivation
9 GM maize is already in various
stages of regulatory field trials for
local data generation
9 Govt approved GM mustard variety
for environmental release i.e.
cultivation & the hybrid production
process for developing new hybrids

In other parts of the world South Africa Other countries

USA Brazil 9 Introduced in 1997 9 Philippines was the

first Asian country to
Introduced in 2007 9 GM white maize is approve GM maize in
9 Introduced in 1990s 9
largely grown in S. Africa 2002
9 Majority of maize grown 9 2nd largest producer of
biotech crops after USA 9 GM welfare benefits 9 Colombia approved
is GMO
estimated to be USD GM maize in 2007,
9 Over 90% of the 695 Mn (from 2001 to area under cultivation
EU
cultivated area 2018) in 2021 reached 0.14
9 Introduced in 1998 Mn Ha
Mexico China
9 GM maize is grown 9 Bangladesh is evaluating
9 Introduced in 2008 9 Largest grower of maize
mainly in Spain and adoption of GM maize
Portugal 9 Mexico is in process by area in view of the success of
to ban GM maize for 9 In 2022, the Chinese GM brinjal
Argentina human consumption ministry of agriculture 9 Pakistan has approved
and rural affairs has field trials of GM maize.
9 Introduced in 1998 Vietnam formulated biosafety
9 Nearly 6 Mn Ha is under 9 Introduced in 2015 certificates which allow 9 Malaysia has allowed
GM maize cultivation domestic cultivation of imports of GM maize
9 By 2019 one-tenth of and derived products.
GM maize
the maize is GM

Source: ISAAA, 2019, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-022-01288-7; https://ec.europa.eu; https://

www.isaaa.org; https://www.frontiersin.org; https://www.sciencedirect.com; https://phys.org/; https://www.fda.gov/
food/agricultural-biotechnology.; https://ec.europa.eu; https://bolsadecereales.com; https://periodicos.ufv.br.;https://
enveurope.springeropen.com;http://www.apaari.org/; https://www.bloomberglinea.com/; https://allianceforscience.org;
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com; USDA Agricultural Biotechnology Journal 2022 for China, India and Bangladesh;
YES BANK Analysis
Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 23
India has not yet permitted the commercial production of GM maize. However, the Government has
recently approved the environmental release of DMH-11, a GM mustard variety. This decision was
made to address the increasing demand of edible oil in the country and national goal of achieving self-
reliance in oilseeds production. If this initiative proves to be successful, it could potentially pave the way
for introduction of GM maize in the future.

24 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
1.2 Consumption
In the year 2021, global maize consumption reached 1,214.43 million MT. Over the last decade,
global maize consumption has increased at the rate of 3% (CAGR) from 899.88 million MT in 2011 to
1,214.43 million MT in 2021. While usage for animal feed accounted for 61% of the total global maize
consumption, usage for biofuel accounted for 16%, food usage accounted for 13% and other usage
accounted for 11% (refer Exhibit 6 below).

Exhibit 6: World maize consumption outlook

9.32%
2031

10.83%

14.65%

15.69% 2021

60.78%
13.48% 12.70% 62.55%

Feed Food Biofuel use Other use

Source: OECD-FAO Agricultural outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis

The global consumption of maize is anticipated to rise to 1.3 Bn MT by 2031, primarily driven by higher
per-capita income leading to increased meat consumption and, in turn, higher demand for animal feed.
The proportion of maize used in animal feed is expected to further increase to about 63% (from current
61% in 2021), mainly due to rapid expansion of the livestock sector, particularly poultry, in Southeast
Asian countries. It is projected that feed consumption will increase at a CAGR of 1% during the period
from 2021 to 2031. Similarly, food consumption is expected to increase by 2% during the same time
frame. However, a decrease of 1% CAGR has been projected for “other uses” category, while the biofuel
category is anticipated to experience minimal CAGR growth of 0.3%. It is expected that the growth of
maize for biofuel production will be limited, as current biofuel related policies focus on other sources
of ethanol (both natural and artificial) for blending. The maize consumption outlook for key countries is
provided in the exhibit 7.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 25
Exhibit 7: Outlook for Maize in key consuming nations (2022/23)

Key consumers of maize and their outlook for 2022/23

USA China EU

9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic

consumption: 304 Mn consumption: 297 Mn consumption: 78 Mn
MT MT MT
9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed
consumption: 44% consumption: 73% consumption: 76%
9 Increase expected for 9 Increase in feed 9 EU imports maize
biofuel usage consumption expected mainly for feed purpose
due to revival of pork
industry

Brazil SE Asia* Mexico

9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic

consumption: 73 Mn consumption: 46 Mn consumption: 44 Mn
MT MT MT
9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed
consumption: 85% consumption: 83% consumption: 59%
9 Feed consumption is 9 The country’s domestic
projected to grow by 2 consumption has been
Mn MT y-o-y consistent over the past
3 years

S. Africa Canada Argentina

9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic 9 Total domestic

consumption: 13 Mn consumption: 14 Mn consumption: 12 Mn
MT MT MT
9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed 9 Domestic feed
consumption: 54% consumption: 64% consumption: 67%
9 Estimated demand 9 The consumption
for feed projected to projections have been
be 26% lower than lowered in line with the
2021/22 estimates production forecasts

*SE Asia includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam

Source: WASDE February 2023 edition, YES BANK Analysis

26 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Consumption of maize in India reached 29.66 million MT in 2021. Feed industry consumed about 51%
of the total maize, while food consumption accounted for 29% (refer exhibit 8). Biofuel production using
maize is still in its initial stages, with just about 1% of maize currently being utilized for this purpose.
Over the past years, growing economy and expanding middle-income population have been driving
the demand for meat/animal protein (poultry and livestock sector). As a result, the demand for maize
in India has also increased. By 2031, the share of maize used in animal feed is expected to increase to
about 54%. If the Indian Government continues to implement positive policy changes with respect to
ethanol blending, the usage of maize for biofuel production could also increase.

Exhibit 8: India maize consumption outlook

2031
16.68%

19.22%
2021
4.53%
1.42
%

50.66%
54.15%

28.70%
24.65%

Feed Food Biofuel use Other use

Source: OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis

1.3 Trade
In the year 2021, International trading of maize reached approximately USD 52 billion across 155
countries17. Most of the global export value came from the top five maize exporting nations, which
accounted for about 77% of total exports. The leading exporters were USA (37%), Argentina (17%),
Ukraine (11%), Brazil (8%) and France (4%) as shown in Exhibit 9. Although the USA has consistently been
the top exporter, there has been a decline in its maize exports due to increased domestic consumption
for bioethanol production, a trend that is projected to continue till 203118. The global exported volume
of maize in 2021 was 194.19 million MT. Export volume grew at a CAGR of 6% CAGR over the last
decade (from 109.76 million MT in 2011).

17
ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis
18
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031)

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 27
During 2021, the global import value of maize stood at USD 59.10 billion, with the top 5 maize importers
contributing about 41% of total value. The leading importers were China (14%), Mexico (9%), Japan (8%),
Iran (6%) and S. Korea (5%) as indicated in Exhibit 9, showing a relatively lower concentration of imports
compared to exports. The global import volume of maize touched 167.67 million MT in 2021, growing
at a CAGR of 5% over the last decade (from 103.01 million MT in 2011)19. The estimated global maize
import for the upcoming year is expected to reach 177 million MT20. China has emerged as a major
maize importer due to increased demand from its domestic feed industry, with imports raising by 152%
to 28.35 million MT in 2021 compared to 2020, making China the leading maize importer in the world.

Exhibit 9: Global maize trade scenario

Global Exports Global Imports

(USD Bn) (USD Bn)
52
59
34 36 35 33 34 36 37
29 29 30 39 39 37 38 40 41
37 33 32 33

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Others China
23%

Mexico
USA 9%
37%
France
4% Exported Value (2021): Others Imported Value (2021):
52 Bn USD 58%
59 Bn USD Japan
8%
Brazil
8%
Iran
6%
Korea
Ukraine Argentina 5%
11% 17%

Top 5 countries contribute to 77% of global exports Top 5 countries contribute to 41% of global imports

% of Decadal
Exporters Volume in Mn MT(2021) 9 Global export volume
export CAGR
reached 194.19 Mn MT in
2021, grown at a decadal
USA 70 36% 4%
CAGR of 6%.
Exported Volume

Argentina 40 21% 10% 9 USA, Argentina and Brazil

were the top three exporters
Ukraine 25 13% 12% of maize.

Brazil 20 9 Ukraine is expected to

11% 8% continue export on the
Romania 7 back of the Black sea grain
4% 12% initiative.

19
ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis
20
WASDE February 2023 edition

28 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 % of Decadal 9 Key maize importing nations
Importers Volume in Mn MT(2021)
import CAGR
in terms of volume are China
(17%), Japan (9%), Korea (7%),
China 17% 32% Iran (6%) and Spain (5%).

Imported Volume
28
Together, they contribute to
Japan about 44% of global imports.
15 9% -0.03%
9 In the last year China
Korea 12 7% 4% imported the highest
volume of maize (28. 35 Mn
Iran 10 6% 11% MT) surpassing volumes of
regular importers such as
Japan, Vietnam and Korea.
Spain 8 5% 6%

Source: ITC Trade Map (Maize or corn, HS Code:1005), YES BANK Analysis
There is difference between the export & import statistics due to trade systems used, quantity of measurement, time lag
in reporting, misallocation, confidentiality issues, re-exports, country’s methodology of data compilation and inclusion of
transportation and insurance costs in the reported import value but its exclusion from export value.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to disrupt normal production and trade of
cereals in this region. Despite significant efforts by the UN, such as the Black Sea Grain initiative (refer
Exhibit 10), there is still a substantial gap compared to previous supply levels from this region. This is
having a particular impact on supply of cereals to East African and NENA (Near East and North African)
region which rely heavily on imports from the Black Sea region.

Exhibit 10: Black Sea grain initiative

Black Sea Grain Initiative

9 The ‘Black Sea Grain Initiative’ is a part of the UN Plan, which allows safe passage of
significant volumes of commercial food exports from 3 key Ukrainian ports namely, Odesa,
Chornomorsk and Yuzhny.
9 A Joint Coordination Centre is being hosted in Istanbul which is monitoring its
implementation and includes representatives from Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye.
9 The other part of the UN Plan focuses on facilitating exports of Russian food and fertilizers.

Source: https://www.un.org/en/black-sea-grain-initiative

In the year 2021, India imported roughly about 24 thousand MT of maize worth USD 14.20 million, while
the country’s maize exports amounted to 3.62 million MT valued at about USD 935.61 million, a 2.4X
increase in export value over the previous year21. This significant rise in exports was driven by surging
maize prices across the globe, which made Indian maize prices more competitive in the international
market. In addition, the demand resurgence in the South & Southeast Asian countries (for example:
Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia) and lower supply from traditional regions of Argentina and Brazil amid
bad weather conditions22 further boosted maize exports.

21
ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis
22
https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/NewsSearch.aspx?newsid=43653

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 29
Exhibit 11: Overview of India’s maize trade (2017-2021)

Export (In USD Mn) Import (In USD Mn)

935.61

389.28

254.69
157.55 143.86
76.45 64.70
26.42 15.56 14.20

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Source: ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

The top export destinations for Indian maize were

Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal and Malaysia. The
fluctuation in value of maize exports from India is
attributed to factors such as production, international
pricing, and domestic demand. As per latest estimates
from APEDA, India has already exported about 2.48
million MT of maize (worth approximately USD 814.56
million) during the period April to December 202223.

Maize seed trade

Maize seed trade forms a significant part of the global

seed trade. Global maize seed export value averaged
about USD 3 billion per annum over the last 10 years. In
the year 2021, global maize-seed exports were valued at
USD 2.96 billion. The top five maize seed exporting nations were France (28%), Hungary (10%), USA (9%),
Romania (6%) and Austria (5%) as indicated in Exhibit 12. Currently, India exports USD 53.08 million
(2021) worth of maize seeds to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. With the global maize seed
industry showing rapid growth, India has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this expansion to boost
trade.

23
https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/NewsSearch.aspx?newsid=43653

30 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Exhibit 12: Key maize seed exporters and importers in 2021 (in terms of value)

% CAGR % CAGR
Exporters Value in USD Mn (2021) Importers Value in USD Mn (2021)
Share (2011-2021) Share (2011-2021)

France 821.64 28% 2% Malaysia 495.58 14% 2%

Hungary 285.0 10% 2% Germany 266.2 8% -2%

USA 270.3 9% 2% France 194.6 6% 2%

Romania 165.7 6% 1% USA 151.0 4% -6%

Austria 160.6 5% 7% Romania 137.3 4% 11%

India 53.08 2% 12% India 0.74 0.02% 31%

Source: ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

1.4 Stocks & Prices

The amount of maize stock worldwide typically follows the pattern of production. Given that global
production estimates are lower, global maize ending stock is expected to decrease from 316.44 million
MT in 2021 to about 310.74 million MT in 202224, a decrease of 2%.

The global maize prices experienced an unprecedented price rally during the marketing year 2020/21
due to a combination of factors including Black Sea conflict, increased shipping charges and lesser
closing stock. However, the likelihood of a similar event happening again in the near future is low,
unless there is a significant production, supply or logistics related issue.

In India, the expected ending stocks of maize for 2022 is projected to be about 4.20 million MT25, a
doubling of the stock from 2012 when it was only 1.96 million MT. This increase is largely attributed
to significant improvement in production. Over the past two years, maize prices in the country have
experienced considerable growth, rising by 39% from INR 13,822 per MT in February 2021 to INR
19,239 per MT in February 202226. Maize prices have further grown by 14% to touch INR 21,964 per MT
in February 2023 (refer Exhibit 13 below). The domestic price movement is influenced by various factors
including demand, production, available stocks, weather conditions, input prices and international
trade.

24
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis
25
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis
26
Agmarknet, YES BANK Analysis

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 31
Exhibit 13: Overview of maize commodity price movement in India over the last three years (in
INR/MT)

January February March April May June July August September October November December
2021 13,780 13,822 13,986 15,097 15,546 15,886 17,050 17,755 17,575 17,633 16,405 16,537
2022 18,804 19,239 20,364 20,306 20,667 22,309 21,300 23,114 21,576 21,804 21,004 22,207
2023 22,399 21,964

Source: ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

1.5 Estimate of production & consumption by 2031

Globally, area under maize cultivation is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 0.2% during 2021-2031
and maize productivity is expected to grow at a CAGR of 0.6%. Higher costs of inputs, logistics, fuel
prices, production uncertainties (in South American region) and port disruptions will continue to affect
the cost of production. Consequently, global maize production is projected to grow at a CAGR of 0.86%
during 2021-2031. During this period, global maize consumption is projected to increase at a CAGR of
0.96%27.

In India, the area under cultivation of maize is projected to grow at a CAGR of 0.1% over the next
decade (2021 to 2031) while productivity is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.3%. Consequently, maize
production is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.34% during this period. Maize consumption is estimated
to grow at a CAGR of 1.82%28.

27
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis
28
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), YES BANK Analysis

32 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 2
Need for Tech
Revolution in
Maize Ecosystem
Maize is an important staple crop in India, considering its usage in food, animal feed and manufacturing
of processed food and non-food materials. Importance of maize in India can be judged by the fact that
it is the fastest growing cereal crop in terms of area, production, and productivity. Domestic maize
production has tripled from less than 10 million MT in the mid-1990s to more than 34 million MT in
2022-2329. However, the current productivity of maize in India is much lower compared to other maize
growing nations such as USA, Brazil and Argentina. Low productivity is largely attributed to limited
adoption of technological interventions across the maize supply chain. Lack of quality farm inputs
and inefficient farming techniques result in lower quantity and inferior quality produce. In addition,
maize ecosystem, like other agricultural commodities, is at substantial risk of being impacted by climate
change, depleting water resources and widespread land degradation. Increasing demand for maize
could lead to a demand-supply mismatch which in turn could lead to shortage of supply in the near
future.

Historically, conservation agriculture practices have been successfully employed in Indian maize-
based cropping systems to maintain productivity and profitability. However, to keep up with future
demand and remain competitive in the global market, it is essential to implement modern technology-
driven practices across the entire maize supply chain. Technological innovations in plant nutrition
and protection, climate smart solutions (such as precision agriculture and early warning systems),
biofortification and modernized harvesting and storage technologies are expected to have a significant
impact on production and post-harvest management of maize. In addition, emerging technologies
such as gene slicing, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, data analytics and connected sensors
hold promise for boosting yields, enhancing supply chain efficiencies, and fostering sustainability
and resilience. Exhibit 14 showcases how technological innovations can provide solutions to current
challenges faced by the maize ecosystem.

29
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 33
Exhibit 14: Technology interventions for addressing current challenges of maize ecosystem

Value chain level Challenges Technology intervention

9 Low crop yield 9 Hybridization

9 Pest and disease incidence 9 Purpose specific varieties
9 Labour unavailability 9 Better seed treatment solutions
9 Deteriorating soil health 9 Genetic enhancement
Farm inputs 9 Depleting water availability 9 Mechanization
9 Drone application
9 Remote sensing
9 Precision and smart irrigation
systems

9 Monsoon dependence for 9 Precision farming

cultivation 9 Mechanization
9 Fragmented land holdings 9 Digitization of aggregation
9 Labour unavailability solutions
Farm
9 High input consumption 9 Application of AI
Management 9 Lack of timely updates 9 Digitization of extension
9 Low price visibility services
9 Low information 9 AI based solutioning
dissemination

9 High moisture content in 9 Mechanized drying

grain 9 Modern storage structures
Storage and such as silos
9 Aflatoxin buildup
post harvest 9 Silage Preparation
9 Improper drying
management
9 Unavailability of uniform
and quality feed

9 Blockchain
Procurement 9 Lack of traceability
9 IoT solutions
and 9 Fluctuating prices 9 Cloud based apps for real time
processing 9 Quality standards updates

9 Dependence on informal 9 Digitization of transactions

Access
sources of credit 9 Direct benefit transfer
to credit, schemes
9 Unavailability of timely credit
insurance
9 High monsoon dependence
and finance

Source: ITC Trade Map, YES BANK Analysis

34 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 3
Key technological
interventions across
the maize value chain
As the demand for maize and maize-based products continue to rise, the traditional methods of
production and supply chain management are proving to be inadequate. In response, there is an
increasing interest in the adoption of innovations and technological interventions to improve efficiency,
sustainability and resilience of the maize value chain. While many of these interventions are still in their
early stages, they have the potential to significantly transform both forward and backward linkages
across the supply chain. Exhibit 15 illustrates some of these technological interventions and their
potential impact on the maize value chain, highlighting the opportunities for innovation and growth in
the industry.

29
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 35
Exhibit 15: Key technological trends across maize value chain

9 Farmers 9 Government
WHO

Stakeholders 9 Traders 9 Civil society organizations

9 Private sector 9 International organizat

Access to credit and insurance

Storage &
Farm Procurement &
Farm Inputs postharvest
Management processing
management
HOW

9 Better seeds 9 Precision farming 9 Modern drying & 9 Blockchain

9 Input application technologies storage solutions technology for
and monitoring 9 Mechanization of 9 Baling technology in traceability
9 Soil testing farming maize silage 9 IoT and cloud
9 Smart irrigation 9 Custom hiring solutions for real
systems 9 Digitizing farmer time updates
extensions services

For people For planet For profit

9 Maize demand set to reach 35.01 9 As per estimates, 5.3 Bn MT 9 Higher yield losses are
WHY

Mn MT by 2031 of soil is degraded each year projected in maize due

due to incorrect fertilization to climate changes
9 In 2050, projected consumption
in India
of poultry meat in India will be 2.3
times higher 9 Increased frequency of dry
spells and torrential rains

Source: Industry Discussions, OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook (2022-2031), https://nrcmeat.icar.gov.in/docs/Vision-2050.

pdf; https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/India-losing-5334-million-tonnes-of-soil-annually-due-to-erosion-
Govt/article15717073.ece, YES BANK Analysis

3.1 Farm Inputs

Seed

The Indian seed market has experienced significant growth over the years and is currently one of
the largest in the world. The seed industry is valued at INR 220 Bn30. Maize is one of the top three
commercial seed variants in India, generating approximately INR 30 billion in revenue during 2020-21
fiscal year31. Maize accounts for 17%32 of total Indian seed industry, underscoring its importance to the
sector as a whole (refer Exhibit 16).

30
https://fsii.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FSII-Newsletter-July-2020-for-website.pdf
31
Industry discussions, YES BANK Analysis

36 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Exhibit 16: Contribution of maize to the Indian seed market (2020-21)

9 The Indian seed industry is worth nearly INR 220 Bn 9 Maize is the 3rd largest category
by value in the Indian seed
9 Nearly 540 private seed companies operate in the
sector
country
9 Out of the total pie the maize
seed industry amounts to 17%

Public
(INR 30 Bn)
36%
Sectoral share
in Indian seed 9 Mn Ha of maize is planted in
production India

6 Mn Ha is under hybrid maize

Private
64% Out of which, 65% is single
cross hybrid

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/data-stories/data-focus/private-sectors-share-in-indias-seed-industry-
expands-to-65-per-cent/article35101260.ece, Industry discussions, YES BANK Analysis

The Indian seed industry has been driven by hybridization, which has played a key role in increasing
the seed replacement rates (SRR). Similar to cotton and vegetables, maize has experienced a significant
uptick in hybridization. It is estimated that hybrid seeds account for 67% of the total area under maize
cultivation in India33, highlighting the widespread adoption of this technology in the country.

Key technological interventions in maize seed

High yielding and stress tolerant hybrid seeds– with focus on single cross hybrid

Maize farmers, mostly in non-traditional areas, have rapidly adopted usage of improved hybrid seeds.
Since the early 1990s, many private seed companies have been focusing on developing High Yielding
Varieties (HYVs), primarily single cross hybrids, that could replace traditional varieties and old hybrids.
Hybrid maize, which is mostly feed and industrial grade maize, accounts for around 67% of the planted
area in India34, while food grade maize is produced using traditional cultivars in traditional maize
consuming states in the northern parts of India. Hybridization in maize crop in India varies between
23-100% across states, highest in Bihar and Tamil Nadu (100%), while lowest in Madhya Pradesh (23%).
As maize varieties have shifted from composites to double cross hybrids to single cross hybrids, there
has been marked improvement in productivity, with yields of single cross hybrids reaching about 8 MT/
ha in states such as Bihar35.

32
Industry discussions, YES BANK Analysis
33
Industry discussions, YES BANK Analysis
34
Industry discussion, YES BANK Analysis
35
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/india-maize-seed-market, Industry discussion

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 37
While hybridization has greatly contributed to exponential growth in maize production, there is still
significant headroom for further growth, particularly by transitioning from double cross hybrids to
single cross hybrids. While area under hybrid maize seeds has increased over years, it is far lower than
countries such as USA, Brazil and Argentina where the coverage is over 90%. To combat depletion of
natural resources, the Government of India is focusing on introducing high-yielding varieties of maize
that can tolerate waterlogging and other biotic and abiotic stresses as a pathway for crop diversification.
Exhibit 17 capture the advantages of maize as an option for crop diversification.

Exhibit 17: Advantages of maize as an option for crop diversification

Diversifying crops to include maize, particularly in the rice-wheat cropping systems of India’s
North-Western states, has the potential to revolutionize the creation of resilient and sustainable
ecosystems. This shift can enhance crop yields, profitability and employment opportunities while
addressing the pressing challenge of ground water depletion and energy conservation in this
region. Furthermore, the integration of maize can help meet the growing demand for this crop,
reduce weed growth in the upcoming season, prevent crop residue burning and facilitate timely
planting of crops. The government is promoting maize as an alternative crop by providing incentives
for crop diversification, such as the ‘Mera Jal Meri Virasat Yojana’ by Haryana Government and
establishing 138 learning sites across 10 districts in Punjab & Haryana.

Introducing maize into the cropping system (especially in NW India) has the potential to
increase farmer profitability and boost sustainable production

90% water
saving
Timely
70% energy
planting of
saving
crops

Advantages of maize
diversification in
Punjab & Haryana Higher
No crop
alternate
residue
crop (wheat)
burning
yield

Aids in Reduced
conservation weed
agriculture problem

38 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 9 Presently, the domestic demand for maize (Punjab & Haryana together) is:
9 Total: 28 to 31 lakh tonnes
9 Poultry: 22 to 25 lakh tonnes
9 Starch: 6 lakh tonnes
9 Current production needs to be increased to address the needs of these industries

Government of Haryana has implemented the ‘Mera Jal Meri Virasat Yojna’ for promotion of
rice diversification in which seed, cash incentive (INR 2000 per acre) and assured procurements
are given to alternate crops like maize.

Currently, 138 learning sites in 10 districts across Punjab & Haryana have been identified by
IIMR (in collaboration with CIMMYT and State Departments of Agriculture) for potential yield
demonstration in maize systems

Source: IIMR technical bulletin “Participatory Innovation Platform on Potential Yield Realization of Maize-based Cropping
Systems in Punjab and Haryana”, YES BANK Analysis

Genetic enhancement of maize

Globally, about 32% (61 million Ha)36 of area under maize is covered by genetically modifi¬ed crop –
primarily in USA, Argentina, Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, Egypt and South America. In India, a host of
products are in the pipeline (ranging from BRL 1 trials stage to fi-nal approval stage). Key factors being
considered for granting required trial approvals are the role of GM in developing effective & sustainable
solutions (for insect control, abiotic stresses (especially drought) and early stage weed losses) and its
social & environmental impact.

Genomic selection (GS) has opened up new opportunities towards developing improved hybrids.
Herbicide tolerant GM maize has specific potential to reduce production cost particularly during kharif
season. CRISPR CAS technique provide new tools to engineer native genes selectively without much
disturbance of native genome. These tools have opened-up new horizon of opportunities for maize
yield improvement specially to develop new cultivars with resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Marker assisted technology & genomic selection

Genetic markers are short segments of DNA with a known location within the genome and are associated
with a trait of interest. By using molecular markers, traits (genes) can be quickly and easily identified
early in the plant’s development thus making plant breeding significantly more efficient. For example,
using molecular markers, fungal resistance can more easily be determined in seedlings. Genomic
selection is a further development of the traditional marker technology and leads to even more reliable
selection when selecting optimal crossing partners and future varieties.

36
ISAAA, 2019

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 39
Maize genome is one of the most extensively analyzed among the plant genomes. Consequently,
maize has been at the forefront in development and evaluation of an array of molecular markers for
varied purpose in genetics and breeding. While significant progress has been made in relation to maize
improvement in India using traditional breeding strategies, considerable scope exists to further enhance
maize productivity. Molecular markers address the limitations of conventional breeding through
indirect selection, growth-stage and use of controlled environment37. Furthermore, molecular markers-
based selection is cost-effective and efficient over phenotypic selection. The introduction of molecular
markers in maize breeding added new avenues to the maize improvement, especially for complex traits
related to quality, agronomic, abiotic, and biotic stresses. Molecular markers contributed essentially to
the germplasm characterization, genetic diversity assessment, heterotic grouping, heterosis prediction,
construction of highly dense genetic maps, gene mapping and tagging, and marker-assisted and
genomic selections.

Moreover, molecular markers can also serve as useful criteria for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability
(DUS) characterization of new varieties. With the evolving high throughput sequencing platforms,
molecular markers are expected play a crucial role in maize productivity improvement.

Seed treatment

Seed treatment has numerous benefits including protection from various soil borne diseases, increased
germination, reduced outbreaks of diseases/pests and high-quality crop. Application of seed treatment
to maize seed is an important step to ensure that the crop grows to its full potential. Seed treatment
has a key role to play in the first two to six weeks after planting, when young seedlings are most at risk
from external threats such as insect and disease.

Seed treatment provides highly targeted protection against insect, pests and diseases during the plant
establishment period, thus helping maximize seedling emergence, early plant development and crop
yield. The use of seed treatment also reduces environmental impact since only minute quantities of
chemical active ingredients are used on the seeds. It is typical of companies selling hybrid maize to pre-
treat their seeds before they are put on shelves for sale.

Adoption of specific seed varieties for maize silage production

Amongst the non-legume cultivated fodders, maize is the only fodder which produces better nutritional
quality along with good quantity of biomass. It is commonly grown as a summer fodder in the
northwestern regions of the country particularly Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.

Fodder maize varieties play an important role in increasing biomass yield thus making silage profitable.
The selection of seeds is very important for silage production as it contributes to 18-20% of the input
cost37 and poor seeds have a drastic effect on the silage yield. Seed companies have introduced silage
specific seed varieties in their product portfolio for cultivation of maize suitable for silage.

37
Report on “Silage as Key Growth Facilitator for Farmers in Punjab”, Grant Thornton

40 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Key technological interventions in other farm inputs

Use of drone for input application and crop monitoring

The farming sector in India is expected to undergo a revolution with the adoption of drones, which
enable precise application of crop inputs based on specific needs. Use of drones has the potential to
boost input use efficiency and enhance farmer safety. In addition, drones reduce the manual workload
of farmers by providing an aerial mapping feature for crop monitoring, assessment of soil conditions
and detection of pests. The use of drone could also reduce the risk of health and environmental hazards
that are typically associated with manual spraying of pesticides and agrochemicals.

Remote sensing applications

Remote sensing applications help in monitoring plant growth, yield loss estimation, irrigation
management, identification of crop stress, weed and pest detection, soil mapping, weather forecasting
and gathering crop phenological information.

Crop sensors help in applying fertilizers and plant protection chemicals in a very effective manner,
maximizing uptake by sensing the exact deficit and reduce the potential leaching and runoff. Crop
sensors also enable application equipment such as drones to determine how much fertilizer or
pesticide to apply in real time.

Rapid soil testing

Maize farmers can analyze the status of their soil in real-time using rapid soil testing, which recommends
the appropriate quantity of fertilizers to be applied, without requiring laboratory testing. This technology
utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy to provide immediate soil analysis reports via a mobile application
on smartphones. Rapid soil testing device allows for fast and efficient soil testing, making it a convenient
and effective tool for farmers.

Smart irrigation

Although, maize in India is primarily a rain-fed crop, in some ecologies, particularly during rabi
season, it is irrigated. Flooding or furrow methods are commonly for irrigating maize. However, these
methods need precise land leveling and water-guidance channel for uniform water distribution. These
conventional irrigation methods have low water use efficiency and are labor-intensive – given the need
for construction of irrigation channels and their maintenance.

Drip irrigation does not need leveling, channel formation and channel maintenance. Simultaneous
application of water and other inputs such as fertilizer and pesticide through drip lines are also possible
resulting in precise, cost-efficient application. Advanced drip irrigation systems with intelligence software
have the facility to provide real time monitoring of soil moisture level at farm and give specific area wise
recommendation for water requirement through a mobile based app.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 41
 Nanotechnology for input application

India has made significant strides in development of nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides and nanocarriers
for agriculture. Nanotechnology has opened a new horizon for improvement of agriculture productivity
through efficient delivery of plant growth and protection chemicals. Nanomaterials act as unique
carriers of agrochemicals facilitating precise management and control of inputs (fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides).

Nanotechnology has the potential to improve maize output by increasing the efficiency of inputs and
minimizing relevant losses through better crop protection.

Digital marketplace for purchase of inputs

Access to digital marketplace through various mobile apps help farmers purchase required inputs at
competitive price. They also provide advisory on how to select right inputs for the crop as well as offer
credit to farmers for purchase of inputs.

3.2 Farm management

Farm management practices vastly influence the growth in revenue of maize cultivation and technology
is an essential core to determine effective maize production strategy. Production techniques used
in the cultivation of maize decide the output quality and yield as well. Farmers plan cultivation and
harvesting of maize considering factors such as selection of cultivars based on season, sowing time,
crop geometry, irrigation techniques, water management, fertigation, integrated nutrient management
and integrated pest management.

Key technological interventions for farm management

Use of precision farming technologies

Precision farming leverages advance digital technologies to effectively minimize inputs, labour and time,
thus maximizing productivity and profitability. Using precision farming, soil and crop health parameters
are determined accurately and these insights are used to make more informed decisions for efficient
resource utilization. Precision farming tools include precision irrigation systems, yield mapping &
monitoring tools and related information management systems.

Precision farming is continuously evolving with the introduction of new technologies such as sensors,
drones, and autonomous vehicles as well as advances in data management and analysis tools. Farmers
get guidance on the most ideally suited seed varieties, amount of fertilizer to be used, the precise
quantum of water required depending on the moisture in the soil and the right use of pesticides to be
applied based on detailed examination of the crop condition.

42 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Digital farm management solutions

Digital farm management solutions enable remote monitoring of maize farms and replace manual
intervention with data-driven decisions thus significantly impacting the productivity levels. Farm
management systems also provide advisories to farmers to ensure they produce without bringing
down soil fertility and soil health, identify specific crop related pests and diseases in time and adhere to
the sustainable cultivation practices to minimize crop loss and maximize yield.

Mechanization of maize farming practices

Mechanization of farming practices is becoming an increasingly important technological intervention

for enhancing efficient use of farm inputs and reduce cost of cultivation. Adoption of mechanization
can result in higher productivity and profitability, as well as provide job opportunities to rural youth.
Mechanized cultivation of maize is particularly suitable because the crop is widely spaced and
dominated by single cross hybrids with uniform ear placement and maturity. Maize cultivation is
completely mechanized in major maize-producing countries such as USA and China. However, maize-
farm mechanization in India is progressing at a slow pace, even when compared to crops such as
rice and wheat. This could primarily be attributed to lack of awareness regarding the applicability of
mechanization for maize cultivation as well as the limited availability of affordable machines for farmers.

However, farm mechanization in maize cultivation has been increasing in all the states, mainly due to
the use of tractors for field preparation. In some of the states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat,
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, maize based combined harvesters and maize planters are also being used.
Labour shortage is further driving the use of machineries for maize cultivation.

Connecting farmers to Custom Hiring Centres

In India, large number of machineries are available for automation or semi-automation of agricultural
operations. However, most heavy machineries are unaffordable for small and marginal farmers who have
limited resources. To address this issue, the Indian government is supporting purchase of equipment
by individual farmers and is also incentivizing creation of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). Agri-preneurs
(progressive farmers, rural unemployed youth and agri-graduates) purchase major implements such
as tractors and tractor-mounted implements and provide these implements on rental basis to the
farmers in need. These farm implements rental services are helping address the problem of labour
shortage and improve farm mechanization , ultimately leading to increased crop productivity.

In addition, phygital (physical and digital) farmer-to-farmer platforms are emerging as a popular
solution to connect small and marginal farmers with equipment owners who are willing to rent out
their tractors and other farm implements. These platforms utilize both physical and digital mediums to
create a seamless and cost-efficient rental experience for farmers. Farmers in need of farm equipment
can book it through a mobile app, call centre or a field agent, by providing details about the required
implement, date, crop, and location. By bridging the gap between equipment owners and those in
need of equipment, these innovative platforms have the potential to transform maize cultivation by

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 43
improving access to modern equipment, increasing efficiency of farming operations and reducing cost
for farmers.

Digitisation of farmer extension

The availability of effective extension service is one of the most crucial factors for the successful
adoption of new technologies in agriculture. With the increasing accessibility of digital platforms,
providing extension services through these platforms has become a more cost-efficient method to
improve farmer’s knowledge of current agricultural practices and markets.

Today, farmers can easily access training materials and videos using various apps on their mobile
devices, from the comfort of their homes. The government has also taken multiple initiatives to enable
farmer extension using digital platforms. For instance, the mKisan Portal was developed for providing
timely and need-based information on weather, market, various farm operations, outbreak of pest
and disease incidence and their control measures to farming community. Additionally, mobile agro
advisories are provided to more than 5 crore farmers by the KVKs using mKisan portal38.

3.3 Storage and Post-harvest management

Improper handling of maize during the post-harvest period can significantly impact its quality, rendering
it unsuitable for human or animal consumption. To prevent this, farmers and other stakeholders need
to prioritize the implementation of best post-harvest practices for maize management. Maize needs
to be dried immediately after harvest using appropriate drying facility to protect it from contaminants
and unpredictable weather. After harvest, maize typically has a high moisture content that needs to be
reduced to 13-14% to prevent mold growth. The best post-harvest practices for maize include proper
and safe drying using appropriate drying facilities, careful monitoring of moisture content and ensuring
proper storage to protect maize from mold growth, pests, and moisture.

Key technological interventions in storage and post-harvest management

Adoption of mechanized drying of maize

At the time of harvest, the moisture content of maize grain is high, typically about 30 to 35%, which can
result in farmers receiving lower price for their produce if not dried well. Additionally, storing maize with
high moisture content can lead to fungal infection and loss of germination. Therefore, it is essential to
appropriately dry maize after harvesting to ensure quality during storage. Traditionally, Indian farmers
use sun drying method, which exposes the produce to vagaries of nature and many a times the entire
harvest gets damaged. To address this issue, mobile batch dryers can be used for drying maize. These
dryers are portable, can dry any type of grain and do not require pre-cleaning of grains. They are also
free of the risk of blockages or hot spots and have drying capacity of 2 to 10 MT per hour, depending on
maize type and moisture content. Silos with drying facility are also effective in handling large volumes
of high-moisture grain received from the farm gate during the harvest period.

38
https://icar.org.in/hi/content/new-initiatives-division-agricultural-extension

44 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Use of modern storage techniques and monitoring systems

During storage, both biotic factors (insects, pests, and micro-organisms) and abiotic factors (relative
humidity, temperature, and time) can lead to grain damage and can trigger mold growth or aflatoxin
contamination, making the produce unsafe for human and livestock consumption. Using modernized
storage systems can help guard against these stressors and reduce post-harvest losses. Reports by
CIPHET and FAO indicate that approximately 5%-7% of maize produced in India is lost due to improper
storage, which can be reduced to as low as 0.5% - 1% by using scientific storage methods39.

There are several storage options available. However, silo storage is the most effective in protecting
maize from mold, insects, and other threats to its quality, as these organisms require oxygen and high
humidity to thrive. Conventional storage in Jute bags is costly and inefficient as handling them requires
lot of manpower. However, silos can be easily mechanized and have a high grain handling speed of up
to 700 MT/hour.

Silos have monitoring system for grain condition and moisture along with temperature control
mechanism. Advanced silo systems have a carbon dioxide monitoring system — used for very early
pest and insect infestation warnings — besides being equipped with a highly effective closed-loop
fumigation system.

Silos are advantageous because they require less labour to operate, enable rapid handling and have
low overall operating cost. Due to their closed structure, preserving maize in a silo using chilling
technique is easier, more efficient, and effective. In sub-tropical countries like India, chilling techniques
are increasingly being used for grain preservation over traditional methods that require periodic
aeration and fumigation. Further, silos support storage of maize in bulk with grain moisture content up
to 14.5% compared to the requirement of 12% for other bulk storage methods. With scientific storage
methods, shelf life can be extended by more than 2 years without any significant reduction in quantity
and quality, provided that the grain has the appropriate moisture level when it is received for storage.

Few private players have taken the lead for creation of modern bulk silo capacity duly equipped with
facilities like dryer and chiller for safe and efficient preservation of maize.

Baling technology for silage

Silage is a technique used to conserve green fodder such as maize, by cutting, chaffing and packing
it into airtight containers or packets to prevent the entry of oxygen. The process of silage- making
causes the starch to be converted to acids by anaerobic fermentation, creating an acidic environment
that kills most microorganisms and preserves the fodder. Maize is considered one of best crops for
silage-making due to high sugar as well as starch content and maize silage is widely used in Indian
conditions. Silage-making reduces the duration of maize cultivation (85-90 days) as compared to grains
and decreases the water consumption39.

39
Report on “Silage as Key Growth Facilitator for Farmers in Punjab”, Grant Thornton

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 45
The advancement of “baling technology’ for silage has created new opportunities for maize farmers,
balers, and dairy farmers in recent years. The development of bale silage as a value addition to pit silage
has provided a way to meet transportation and storage needs. Bales of silage can be transported over
long distances to meet the needs of farmers who are unable to grow maize themselves. Popularity of
bale silage is driving demand for high biomass yielding maize seeds, fodder harvesters, bale machines,
film wraps and additives (inoculants and enzymes).

3.4 Procurement & Processing

IoT and blockchain-based traceability solutions

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain-based traceability solutions allow for creation of a
transparent and secure supply chain that can be tracked from farm to fork. IoT sensors can be used
to monitor crop growth, harvest times and storage conditions, while blockchain technology can ensure
the authenticity of data and prevent tampering. Traceability ensures accurate tracking at all stages,
resulting in better quality control, better inventory management and reduced post-harvest losses.

Digital marketing platforms enable farmers to get a fair price for their produce and provide real time
updates on procurement prices, quality and status of produce in transit. Combining these technologies
to facilitate better linking of farmers to markets has the potential to provide a trusted, sustainable and
transparent supply chain solution for all stakeholders involved.

Aflatoxin reduction through optical sorting

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by molds during metabolism that can have harmful effects on humans
and animals, even at low concentrations. Aflatoxin is the most common mycotoxin found in maize. Due
to improper drying and storage methods, maize is particularly vulnerable to mycotoxin contamination.
Timely identification and removal of mold-infested grains is necessary for effective mycotoxin reduction.
While laboratory analysis can determine mycotoxin content, it is costly and time-consuming process.
An efficient solution is using technology and automation to identify mold infested grains based on their
gravity or optical properties.

Fully integrated solutions are available for efficient mycotoxin reduction. For instance, sample collectors
and separator-classifiers help accurately assess mycotoxin content in incoming deliveries and remove
low-density impurities through efficient pre-cleaning. High-capacity grain cleaners remove matter likely
to be contaminated by mycotoxins, such as light, broken, and shriveled kernels, while optical sorter
identify and separate grains with visual mold signatures using hyperspectral cameras and an LED-
based UV lighting system. Use of such integrated and automated solutions ensure preservation of
produce quality during storage and transit.

46 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Real-time online analysis of quality parameters

Continuous real-time online analysis of quality parameters including those of raw material, intermediary
products and final products during maize processing allows timely adjustments of processes and
optimization of quality. Online quality measurement also reduces the need for traditional lab testing
that is costly and time taking.

Online analyzers can analyze raw material and finished products across various parameters in real-
time during the production processes. Sensors are positioned after pre-cleaning section to measure
moisture, crude fat, fiber, starch and protein content of raw material. At the other end of the process,
sensors measure the required parameters of the finished product (flaking grits, maize flour etc.).
Calibrations can also be provided to measure protein, crude fiber and starch content in the final maize
product. Online particle size analyzer optically measures granulation.

Providing real-time quality data allow for continuous adjustments in the processing operations leading
to optimized quality and increased throughput. They also allow for greater consistency and better
resources-use efficiency.

3.5 Access to credit and insurance

Availability of timely, cost-effective, and adequate credit to the farmers is one of the most crucial factors
for the adoption of modern technologies in maize cultivation. Although credit is not a direct agricultural
input, it facilitates farmers to meet expenses required in adopting improved agricultural technologies.
Access to timely credit enable farmers to purchase good quality seeds, farm equipment, and manage
operational costs until the sale of harvested produce.

Several innovative digital banking products and fintech solutions are being piloted for enhancing farmers’
access to credit. Initiatives such as digitization of documentation for KCC verification and AI-powered
platforms to establish the credit score of farmers have significant potential to improve efficiencies in the
process of underwriting, leading to better access to credit for farmers. Innovations and advancements
in image processing and big data analytics are facilitating financial institutions remotely monitor farm
performances – to develop tailormade products for specific crops and regions. Deployment of modern
technology such as drones and remote sensing for rapid assessment of damage to crops has the
potential to improve efficiencies and reach of crop insurance products as well.

Key technological interventions in credit and insurance

Digital record keeping of farmer information

Banks face challenges in accessing the agri-data of smallholder farmers. In addition, farmers applying
for loan often do not have the necessary documentation thus making it difficult for banks to validate
the provided details. Technology could help banks/other financial institutions by providing accurate
data of individual farmers pertaining to income, identity proofs, current debt and liabilities that could
be used to appraise loan applications. This will make credit availability more accessible and convenient
for small and medium farmers.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 47
 Potential risk forecasting using AI

Statistical models built using satellite image processing and machine learning will enable lenders
to forecast the farmer’s yield and the potential risks involved, along with examining the various risk
mitigation options for both the bank and the farmer. AI and ML will also help in establishing the agri
creditworthiness score of farmers based on a combination of historical production data and the
potential that exists in the region. Image processing and big data analytics will also facilitate financial
institutions to remotely monitor farm’s performance and crop’s health in real-time thus allowing them
to take possible risk mitigation measures in case of potential crop failure or damage.

48 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 4
Government support for
promoting technology
interventions
With a strong focus on doubling farmers’ income while conserving natural resources by promoting
sustainable agriculture, Government of India has rolled out several policy initiatives, schemes and
programmes that benefit the entire agrultural ecosystem. Some of the key government initiatives which
are boosting adoption of new technologies across the agricultural supply chain are captured in exhibit
18.

Exhibit 18: Key Government initiatives and support policies related to maize

For improving crop productivity and farmer income

9 Initiatives by IIMR for crop improvement, protection, management

9 Sub mission on feed and fodder development under NLM
9 Sub mission on agriculture mechanization
9 National project on soil health and fertility

For infrastructure development and credit facilitation

9 National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)

9 Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
9 National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)
9 PM-Kusum

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 49
 For processing of maize

9 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) under MoFPI

9 Promoting Maize dryers
9 MoFPI’s Formulation of Micro Enterprises scheme
9 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund

For extension

9 Promotion of agritech start-ups

9 Promotion of digital extension services and apps
• National Interactive Digital Platform
• Kisan Suvidha mobile application
• Krishi Yantra

Source: Annual Report 2021, IIMR, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1777684, Ministry of Food Processing

& Industries, YES BANK Analysis

Initiatives by Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR)

IIMR carries out basic, strategic, and applied research aimed at enhancing production, productivity and
sustainability of maize in India. Technologies developed by IIMR focus on three major thematic areas
namely, crop improvement, crop protection and crop management. New technologies are validated
through All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on maize and are then transferred from lab
to land through extension and outreach programs. Key initiatives of the institute across maize supply
chain are provided in the Exhibit 19.

50 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
Exhibit 19: Key initiatives by IIMR across maize supply chain

Area Key Initiatives

Crop The crop improvement program is focused on introduction and characterization

Improvement of germplasm, improving productivity of the hybrids and parental lines, germplasm
enhancement for resistance to biotic/abiotic stresses and quality traits. This
program plays an important role in development of high quality, high yielding,
and stress tolerant genotypes.

Crop Crop protection research is carried out in the disciplines of Entomology and
Protection Pathology to manage pests and diseases of maize. Identification of sources of
resistance and management of biotic stresses by integrating cultural, biological,
and chemical means is explored to prevent economic loss to the maize crop.

Crop The crop management program focusses on tillage, nutrient and cropping system
Management management. Recent initiatives under the program involved development of
precision conservation agriculture practices in the cereal-based systems in
Indo-Gangetic Plains and sensor guided nitrogen management in maize-based
cropping system.

Extension This program focuses on reach out to farmers and other stakeholders through
Programs frontline demonstrations, learning platforms and agribusiness incubation center.
The institute also imparts technical trainings on scientific maize cultivation to
various stakeholders. Under Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav Program, 7 teams of ICAR-
IIMR scientists adopted 23 villages across Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Telangana.
Scientists were in regular touch with farmers of these villages through visits and
ICT tools, and organized interface meetings/kisan gosthies, distributed quality
farm inputs and facilitated linkage with other agencies benefitting more than 800
farmers.

Source: Annual Report 2021, Indian Institute of Maize Research

Sub-Mission on Feed and Fodder Development

This sub-mission on Feed and Fodder Development (SMFFD) is a government initiative launched in
2014 under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). SMFFD aims increase fodder production and improve
quality of feed, which can help enhance milk and meat productivity and improve livelihood of livestock
farmers. SMFFD seeks to achieve this by promoting scientific interventions in fodder production,
improving feed and fodder management practices, improving availability of certified fodder seeds, and
encouraging entrepreneurs for establishment of fodder blocks, hay bailing units and silage making
units. A snapshot of incentives provided under this sub-mission is captured herewith.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 51
 Assistance for Towards multiplication of seeds of high yielding fodder varieties which has
Quality Fodder been developed through research and innovations. 100% incentive is provided
Seed Production for production of certified quality fodder seed i.e. breeder, foundation.

Entrepreneurial Eligible entities will be incentivized for infrastructure development related to

Activities in Feed Hay/Silage/Total Mixed Ration (TMR) and Fodder Block. 50% capital subsidy up
and Fodder to INR 50 lakh will be provided towards project cost for procuring machinery
Entrepreneurial like bailers, block making machines, TMR machine, forage harvester and
Activities in Feed heavy duty power operated chaff cutters.
and Fodder

Source: https://nlm.udyamimitra.in/Home/SubmissionOnFeed

Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

This sub-mission was launched under the larger umbrella of National Food Security Mission (NFSM). The
aim of SMAM is to increase farm productivity and reduce drudgery of manual labour in the agricultural
sector by promoting the adoption of modern farm machinery and equipment. Key initiatives under
SMAM include:

9 Promoting Custom Hiring Centers

9 Creating hubs for hi-tech and high value farm equipment

9 Distribution of various agricultural equipment

9 Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities

9 Ensuring performance testing and certification at designated testing centers located all over the
country.

To make provisions of subsidy for farm machinery more transparent, the Government has developed
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal, Centralized Farm Machinery Performance Testing Portal and
FARMS Mobile App.

Soil Health Card Scheme

Under this scheme, soil health cards are issued to farmers for providing status of soil with respect to
various parameters including N,P,K (Macro-nutrients); Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro nutrients). Based on the
assessment, soil health card also indicates fertilizer recommendation and soil amendment required to
realize optimal yields. A farm will get the soil health card once in every 3 years. Soil Health Card Portal
is also available where farmers can track soil samples.

52 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)

Digitization of the agri-value chain has been a key focus area for the central government. One of the
key initiatives that could have a significant impact on farmers’ price discovery and markets is the e-NAM
initiative – an electronic trading portal which intends to integrate all APMCs across the country through
a common online marketing platform – to facilitate a transparent online auction process. Industry
discussions reveal that this initiative, if implemented widely and efficiently along with the promotion of
e-kisan mandis, could transform the way maize is traded in India.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

AIF aims to mobilize medium to long term debt finances facility for investment in viable projects
for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. Financial assistance is
provided digitally in the form of interest subvention and credit guarantee to eligible beneficiaries for
setting up post-harvest management infrastructure. Investment in digital connectivity and optic fiber
infrastructure is also an eligible activity for the projects covered under the scheme.

National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)

Under NeGP-A, funds are released to the State(s)/UT(s) for project involving use of modern technologies
such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotics, Drones, Data Analytics and Block
Chain.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) under MoFPI

PMKSY is a comprehensive package of incentives which is expected to result in creation of modern

infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet for the food
processing sector. Various schemes under PMKSY relevant for maize sector are listed in Exhibit 20
below:

Exhibit 20: Incentives under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana for Maize

Scheme Components Covered Grant-in-aid

Creation/ Creation of processing and 9 @ 35% of eligible project cost in

Expansion of preservation capacities and General areas & 50% of eligible
Food Processing/ modernisation/ expansion of existing project cost in difficult areas#
Preservation food processing units including
9 Max grant limit per project -INR
Capacities starch, food (popcorn, nachos,
5 Cr
tortillas, boiled/frozen corn)

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 53
 Scheme Components Covered Grant-in-aid

Infrastructure Development of modern 9 @ 35% of eligible project cost in

for Agro infrastructure and common facilities General areas & 50% of eligible
processing to encourage group of entrepreneurs project cost in difficult areas
Clusters to set up food processing units based
9 Max grant limit per project-INR
on cluster approach
10 Cr

Source: Ministry of Food Processing Industries

# Difficult areas include - North East States, Himalayan States, ITDP Areas & Islands

Promotion of agritech startups

Agritech start-ups are playing a key role in addressing deep rooted challenges across the agri-value
chain by identifying and introducing innovative technologies, business models and digital solutions such
as artificial intelligence, internet of things and big data analytics. These solutions are transforming the
way agricultural produce is cultivated, sourced, traded, marketed, and consumed. Through the “Start-
Up India” initiative, Government of India has put in significant effort to facilitate growth of Agri-Tech
startups. The government is facilitating an enabling eco-system for start-ups as setting up incubators,
building innovation centers, providing funding support, tax exemptions and creating a start-up India
hub for sharing of knowledge. In the agriculture sector, DPIIT in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare has launched an Agriculture Grand Challenge inviting solutions on 12 problem
statements. Winners of the challenge have received mentorship, free of cost incubation for a period of
3 months, opportunities to conduct pilot programs and funding support in the form of grants. In May
2019, NABARD announced an investment of INR 7 billion venture capital fund for equity investment in
agriculture and rural-focused start-ups. This strong focus on promoting agri-tech start-ups is expected
facilitate introduction of innovative technologies that increase productivity as well as build efficiencies
across the maize value chain.

Promotion of digital extension services and apps

9 National Interactive Digital Platform - MoA&FW has signed an MoU with Digital Green under
PPP framework for developing a National Interactive Digital Platform to strengthen extension
system. The platform will host a digital library of curated multi-format multi-lingual content, help
extension workers access and deliver curated content to farmers on time and upskill the vast
network of extension workers for agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, livestock and rural livelihood
missions through certified online courses.

9 Kisan Suvidha mobile application – has been launched to facilitate dissemination of information
to farmers on the critical parameters such as weather; market prices; plant protection; input dealers
(seed, pesticide, fertilizer); farm machinery; soil health card; cold storages & godowns, veterinary
centers and diagnostic labs.

54 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
9 Krishi Yantra - Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal (ICAR-CIAE) under Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a “Krishi Yantra” app to augment research,
operations and technology dissemination process in the field of agricultural engineering. In addition,
a web portal has been made available by ICAR-CIAE on their website where option of interaction
between user and specialists is available to ensure that appropriate mechanization technology is
selected by the entrepreneurs.

9 Government is also providing advisories services on various crop related matter to the registered
farmers through SMSs.

Other select government initiatives promoting adoption of technology in maize

ecosystem

9 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana for development of irrigation sources in drought prone areas
& Micro Irrigation Fund Scheme.

9 PM-Kusum: to install the Renewable energy capacity, to power agriculture pumps.

9 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance & KCC for access to credit and
putting up a common data infrastructure for farmers in the country.

9 Promoting Maize dryers at APMCs for improving quality

9 MOFPI’s Formulation of Micro Enterprises scheme – supports FPOs for development of infrastructure
and primary processing

9 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) incentives investment in animal feed
processing facilities

Digital Agriculture Mission 2021-25

The Digital Agriculture Mission 2021-25 was launched by the Government of India to promote the
use of digital technologies in agriculture. The mission aims to cover 1 million villages across India and
benefit about 20 million farmers.

Under this mission, various initiatives will be undertaken, such as creation of digital infrastructure for
agriculture, the establishment of digital extension services, the development of farmer centric mobile
applications, promotion of sensor-based technologies for crop and soil health monitoring and the
integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in agriculture. The mission also aims to provide
farmers with real-time market information, enable direct market linkage and facilitate e-commerce
platforms for agricultural products.

In addition, the mission seeks to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders
in the agricultural ecosystem, including farmers, agronomists, researchers, agribusinesses, and
policy makers. By fostering partnerships and creating digital platforms for knowledge exchange, the
mission aims to accelerate innovations and drive the adoption of new technologies that can transform
agriculture.

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 55
 5
Recommendations for
creating an enabling
environment to leverage
technology for maize
ecosystem
Emerging technologies present a growing range of opportunities to transform India’s maize ecosystem.
To harness these opportunities, there is a need to foster a collaborative approach between policymakers,
researchers, private players, extension workers, technology providers and farmers to identify and scale
those technological innovations which hold the most transformative potential for sustainable growth
and development of maize.

Maize growers and buyers encounter specific challenges such as inefficiencies in maize quality
management, low availability of maize during rabi season, high involvement of intermediaries and
high volatility in maize commodity prices. Addressing these issues through promising technologies in
maize value chain, as discussed in the previous chapter, can bring about a transformation in the Indian
maize industry. However, harnessing the potential of emerging technologies requires investments in
research and development, human capital, infrastructure, and knowledge sharing. To identify, adopt
and scale up the use of newer technologies in maize ecosystem, five action areas have been identified
as captured herewith.

Promoting Improving Building Devising effective Developing

public private adoptability necessary extension an enabling
partnership of new connectivity programs regulatory
to leverage technologies infrastructure environment for
technologies introduction and
adoption of new
technologies

56 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Promoting public private partnership to leverage technologies

Promotion of public private partnership (PPP) is vital to harness scientific expertise, skills, resources,
and technological innovations in both backward and forward maize value chain. Combining public
investments, in the form of various central and state government initiatives along with the private sector
investment will be a force multiplier for the maize sector. Under PPP models, private players can drive
emerging technology innovations and new business models while universities and research institution
can bring in domain level expertise and help in validating solutions for large scale deployments. In
addition, FPOs and non-governmental organizations could play a critical role by building farmer capacity
and extending innovative products and services to farmers.

PPP in maize can be driven with the primary objective of enhancing the income of small farmers by
creating additional value through provisioning of quality inputs, technology extension, market linkages,
and value addition. PPP initiatives should lead to modernizing farming practices, promoting research in
high yielding maize varieties, developing robust farm level infrastructure for maize drying/storage, and
connecting farmers to new technology as well as innovative business models.

Over the years, the government has taken numerous proactive steps to incentivize PPP initiatives in the
agriculture sector that improve yields, reduce losses, and enhance farmer incomes. With the advent
of innovative technologies such as drones, satellite mapping, IoT and blockchain, PPP in the sector is
becoming increasingly important to ensure adoption of these technologies at farm level. PPP initiatives
will facilitate private investment in maize sector, leverage public investment and align all stakeholders in
a shared vision of dynamic and value-added growth of the sector. An illustrative PPP model framework
that could be adopted in maize ecosystem is provided in Exhibit 21.

Exhibit 21: PPP model framework in maize ecosystem

9 Pooling resources (inputs, farm machinery, storage,

Farmer/ processing, marketing)
FPOs 9 Capacity building
9 Implementation on farm

9 Setting up of infrastructure (maize silos, maize dryers, machinery

banks)
9 Introduction of new technology and products (smart irrigation, bio-
Private inputs, hybrid seeds, farm management solutions, innovative maize
industry food products)
9 Online distribution platforms
9 Digital marketplace

9 Digital and high-tech services (satellite mapping, monitoring, rapid

Start-ups testing devices)

9 Innovative business models

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 57
 9 Research capabilities
Academia
9 Domain expertise
& research
9 Validation of new technologies
institution
9 Startup incubators

9 Access of data
9 Field resources
Government
9 Enabling policy and governance
9 Support through subsidies/interest incentives

Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/unlock-the-power-of-agricultural-technology-through-private-public-
partnerships, YES BANK Analysis

Improving adoptability of new technologies

Significant efforts have been put in by the government and private sector to promote large scale
adoption of innovative and modern technologies, that have the potential to increase yields and farmer
income. However, large scale adoption of these technologies is yet to fructify. Large scale adoption
of new technologies among farmers is a major challenge owing to land fragmentation, limited trust
around data sharing, high costs and lower returns. To drive large scale adoption of new technologies in
maize ecosystem following measures could be taken.

9 Identify specialized maize clusters and develop of “Maize FPOs” to increase accessibility and
to achieve better unit cost economics of available technologies.

9 Explore and popularize innovative portable equipment’s for assessment of quality at

farm level, drying and storage of maize to enable farmers adopt new equipment/ technology
even if they are working on a leased land parcel.

9 Promote use of digital platforms that offer equipment renting and sharing services (such
as Krishi Yantra). This will enable small and marginal farmers who are not able to purchase
equipment to adopt mechanization despite constrained financial resources and small farm plots.

9 Elevate end user interface for ease in use of technology by farmers. Streamlining customer
support operation through digital interface (support videos, web messaging, AI assisted chatbots)
and traditional person-to-person technical support will help in driving adoption. Development of
farmer friendly, easy to use interface of various apps in regional language could facilitate its usage
on a large scale.

9 Build farmers’ trust to enable voluntary sharing of data. Technology providers can build
trust among farmers through streamlining the process of data collection and gathering only that
information which is essential for delivery of superior products and solutions to farmers.

58 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 Building necessary connectivity infrastructure

Implementation and usage of digital technologies at farm level relies heavily on connectivity infrastructure.
Digital devices and sensors, such as satellite remote sensing, UAV imaging systems, Internet of Things
(IoT) sensing systems and ground-based robotic systems, are required for collecting high-resolution
temporal and spatial big data of crops, environment, and farm equipment. To successfully adopt
and implement these advancements, wireless connectivity is an enabling technology. Data analysis
becomes more efficient via artificial intelligence systems after being placed on cloud-based servers. Key
recommendations for building required connectivity infrastructure are given below.

9 Develop Information technology (IT) infrastructure and networks in rural areas to provide
better connectivity at affordable price.

9 Provide support through incentives to deploy remote/in-situ sensors, purchase of drones

and setting up of automatic weather stations.

9 Promote frontier technologies including high band 5G and LEO constellation to ensure full
usage of digital applications and analytics.

9 Modernize existing cellular infrastructure in rural areas

Devising effective extension programs

To promote largescale adoption of new technologies at farm level, it is crucial to create pathways
that enhance awareness among farmers. Although on-field demonstrations, farmer fi¬eld days and
promotional activities have traditionally been effective methods for promoting new products and
technologies, it is also important to acknowledge the significance of digital platforms in reaching
farmers. The government and private sector have both developed farmer friendly apps that can be
used to disseminate information about new products and provide training on new technologies via
mobile devices. With increased use of mobile phones and internet in rural areas of India, actively
reaching out to farmers through digital channels with relevant information and training videos can
greatly aid in rapid adoption of new technologies. Therefore, a well-designed extension program needs
to incorporate both traditional and digital methods to ensure effective dissemination of information
and successful adoption of new technologies.

Developing an enabling regulatory environment for introduction and adoption

of new technologies

A conducive regulatory environment is crucial in ensuring the development and adoption of new
technologies. The policies and regulations in place determine the extent to which innovative
technologies, including digital tools, are available to farmers and other stakeholders thereby affecting
the speed of introduction and adoption of technologies. Policy interventions are required to incentivize
private sector investment in research and development of new technologies, facilitate procurement
of material required for innovation, promote accountable data sharing, establish development and

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 59
deployment frameworks for AI systems, and promote research and innovation along with cross-border
collaborations to catalyze the exchange and adoption of frontier technologies. Recommendations to
provide a regulatory environment conducive for adoption of new technologies are mentioned below.

9 Create an enabling policy environment for research, development and introduction of

high yielding, climate resilient maize varieties. Towards this, while private seed companies
could play a critical role in introducing globally best varieties at a price affordable to Indian small-
holder farmers, government need to create an enabling environment for introduction of new
hybrids as well as for protecting IPRs. Specific enabling policy interventions include – reviewing the
repetitive procedures (such as the need for a three-year confirmatory trial for any hybrid seed being
introduced into the state, in spite of it having been tested and approved elsewhere in the country);
setting up common and standard procedures/guidelines across states for faster approvals and
enforcing a predictable Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime & The Plant Variety Protection Act
(PVP&FRA) landscape to assure and incentivize private companies to further invest in research and
development of more resilient and efficient seed varieties. Measures could include offering tax
breaks on private sector R&D investments.

9 Ensure access to farm level data held by government agencies and departments to enable
users to access best available data for development of algorithms and artificial intelligence

9 Use of automation and AI requires hi-tech hardware devices and machinery, which are generally
imported and are capital intensive. Policy support and collaboration with exporting countries
are needed to facilitate easy procurement of IoT devices and other technologies.

9 Promote investment in maize focused bulk storage and logistics infrastructure- A

dedicated Kisan Rail for maize and developing large scale integrated bulk handling projects for
maize in PPP mode similar to those developed for wheat.

9 Create conducive policies to promote startup ecosystem in maize- Agritech startups are
transforming the world of agriculture by introducing innovative approaches and technologies to
solve specific problems. Handholding and promoting the start-up ecosystem could yield significant
returns towards introducing new technologies and innovations specifically focused on the maize
value chain. With a view to catalyze start-up interest in the maize value chain, following actions are
suggested:
• Establish a maize specific start-up accelerator – in a PPP mode, with significant private sector
participation
• Launch a maize supply chain grand challenge and cohort
• Develop a maize innovations sandbox

Technology offers the opportunity to make Indi’s maize ecosystem more resilient, sustainable, and
profitable. In the past, choice of technologies and their adoption was primarily driven by production,
productivity, and farm incomes. However, in recent years, trade, R&D, technological innovations,
education, training, and digitization have been strong influences on the choice of technology adopted
in maize cultivation as well as maize farmers’ access to markets. As sustainable farming gains more
attention, it is crucial for all parties involved to determine how to effectively implement the most
appropriate technologies in the maize ecosystem so as to achieve maximum production and profitability
while minimizing any potential risks to both people and the environment.

60 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 6 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Extension

AHIDF Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund

AI Artificial Intelligence

AICRP All India Coordinated Research Project

APEDA Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

APMC Agricultural Produce Market Committee

Bn Billion

BRL Biosafety Research Level

CAGR Compound Annual Growth Rate

CAS CRISPR-associated

CHC Custom Hiring Centre

CIPHET Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology

CRISPR Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats

DBT Direct Benefit Transfer

DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

EU European Union

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

FCI Food Corporation of India

FPO Farmer Producer Organization

GAP Good Agricultural Practices

GM Genetically Modified

GMO Genetically Modified Organisms

Ha Hectares

HYVs High Yielding Varieties

ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research

IIMR Indian Institute of Maize Research

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 61
 Abbreviation Extension

IoT Internet of Things

IPM Integrated Pest Management

INR Indian Rupee

ISAAA International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

KCC Kisan Credit Card

LEO Lower Earth Orbit

ML Machine Learning

Mn Million

MoA&FW Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare

MoFPI Ministry of Food Processing Industries

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MSP Minimum Support Price

MT Metric Tonnes

MY Marketing Year

NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

NENA Near East and North African regions

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

PDS Public Distribution System

PLFS Periodic Labour Force Survey

PMFBY Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

PMKSY Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana

PPP Public Private Partnership

PPV&FR Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act

R&D Research & Development

SRR Seed Replacement Rate

UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

UN United Nations

USD US Dollars

62 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 7 List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Projected global acreage and production of maize in 2026 & 2031

Exhibit 2: Key maize growing countries and their international trade projection for 2022/23

Exhibit 3: Outlook of maize production in India

Exhibit 4: Average yield of maize across key producing countries

Exhibit 5: Overview of GM maize

Exhibit 6: World maize consumption outlook

Exhibit 7: Outlook for Maize in key consuming nations ( 2022/23)

Exhibit 8: India maize consumption outlook

Exhibit 9: Global maize trade scenario

Exhibit 10: Black Sea grain initiative

Exhibit 11: Overview of India’s maize trade (2017-2021)

Exhibit 12: Key maize seed exporters and importers in 2021 (in terms of value)

Exhibit 13: Overview of maize commodity price movement in India over the last three
years (in INR/MT)

Exhibit 14: Technology interventions for addressing current challenges of maize ecosystem

Exhibit 15: Key technological trends across maize value chain

Exhibit 16: Contribution of maize to the Indian seed market (2020-21)

Exhibit 17: Advantages of maize as an option for crop diversification

Exhibit 18: Key Government initiatives and support policies related to maize

Exhibit 19: Key initiatives by IIMR across maize supply chain

Exhibit 20: Incentives under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana for Maize

Exhibit 21: PPP model framework in maize ecosystem

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 63
 8 Acknowledgement
Mr. T R Kesavan Mr. Arjun Rajput
TAFE Ltd Corteva Agriscience

Mr. Amit Sachdev Ms. Ruchira

US Grains Council Corteva Agriscience

Mr. Aromal Jkoshi Mr. Yougesh Kumar

Roquette India Pvt Ltd Corteva Agriscience

Mr. Rajvir Rathi Mr. Harinder Singh

Bayer CropScience Ltd Excellent Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Jitendra Joshi Mr. Rajat Vardhan

Corteva Agriscience AgroNxt Services Private Limited

Ms. Harleen Bedi

Corteva Agriscience

64 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
 About FICCI
Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. Its history is
closely interwoven with India’s struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence
as one of the most rapidly growing global economies.

A non-government, not-for-profit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India’s business and industry.
From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, FICCI
articulates the views and concerns of industry. It serves its members from the Indian private and
public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional
chambers of commerce and industry across states, reaching out to over 2,50,000 companies.

FICCI provides a platform for networking and consensus building within and across sectors and is
the first port of call for Indian industry, policy makers and the international business community.

About YES BANK

YES BANK is a ‘Full Service Commercial Bank’ providing a complete range of products, services and
technology driven digital offerings, catering to Retail, MSME as well as corporate clients.

YES BANK operates its Investment banking, Merchant banking & Brokerage businesses through
YES SECURITIES and its Mutual Fund business through YES Asset Management (India) Limited,
both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Bank. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has a pan-India
presence across all 28 states and 8 Union Territories in India including an IBU at GIFT City, and a
Representative Office in Abu Dhabi.

For more information, please visit the Bank’s website at http://www.yesbank.in/

Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations | 65
 NOTES

66 | Transforming India’s Maize Sector: The Critical Role of Technology and Innovations
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