Maize Availability, Poultry Growth, and the Need for Policy Reforms
The Indian poultry industry contributes nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore to the national economy. The layer population stands at around 40 crore birds, while the broiler population is approximately 500 crore birds annually. Together, the poultry sector requires nearly 20 million tonnes of maize every year as feed.
India’s total maize production is around 41–42 million tonnes, of which nearly 50% is consumed by the poultry sector alone. At the same time, maize is also required by several other sectors, including human consumption, starch industry, cattle feed, shrimp feed, and now ethanol production.
The Government of India is strongly promoting the “food for fuel” policy. Currently, about 6 million tonnes of maize are used for ethanol production, and this number is expected to rise every year. The government’s long-term plan is to divert at least 10 million tonnes of maize annually for ethanol production.
On the demand side, the poultry sector is growing at an average rate of 8% per year. This growth alone requires an additional 1.5 million tonnes of maize every year. However, maize production in India is not increasing at the same pace. As a result, demand from poultry and ethanol is rising sharply, while supply remains constrained.
India’s average maize productivity is only about 3.5 metric tonnes per hectare, whereas the global average ranges between 8 and 12 metric tonnes per hectare. This gap exists mainly because Indian farmers use low-yielding local varieties, while countries like the USA, Brazil, and Argentina use high-yielding GM (genetically modified) maize.
Most Indian maize farmers have small landholdings of 2–3 acres. With low productivity, maize farming becomes economically unviable. This is one of the reasons why the government is compelled to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) every year. Currently, maize prices in India are around ₹24 per kg, while international prices range between ₹16–18 per kg.
This situation creates a double challenge. Farmers continue to earn low profits due to poor yields, while users such as the poultry and ethanol industries are forced to pay higher prices because of policy restrictions. Despite paying higher prices, farmers still receive only limited benefit because productivity remains low.
If GM maize technology is allowed, productivity can easily increase to 6–7 metric tonnes per hectare. With higher yields, farmers will benefit through better output and higher profits, even if maize prices come down to ₹17–18 per kg. At the same time, poultry and ethanol industries will get maize at affordable prices, improving their global competitiveness.
For Indian poultry to compete internationally with countries like the USA, Brazil, and Argentina, feed costs must be comparable. International maize prices are around USD 165 per metric tonne (₹16,000–17,000 per tonne). In contrast, Indian maize prices may soon reach ₹30 per kg if MSP continues to rise. Under such conditions, Indian poultry cannot compete in global markets.
If advanced technologies continue to be restricted, Indian agriculture will face low productivity and low farmer incomes. Allowing GM technology in crops like maize and soybean can significantly improve productivity and farmer profitability.
Alternatively, if the government does not wish to allow GM maize into the food chain, it may consider permitting GM maize imports or usage specifically for ethanol and starch production. This would reduce pressure on domestic maize supplies and ensure better availability for poultry and other feed sectors.
In conclusion, the poultry sector strongly urges the government to reconsider its policy on GM technology. Enabling higher productivity through modern technology will benefit farmers, strengthen allied industries like poultry and ethanol, and improve India’s competitiveness in global markets.
Complied by Poultry India media
