India’s Maize Sector by the Numbers: 1.69 Crore Holdings, Rising MSP and NFSM Funding
12 February 2026, New Delhi: India is sharpening its focus on maize cultivation as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security, boost farmer incomes and expand the country’s coarse cereal production. The Government of India is promoting maize through policy support, research initiatives, financial assistance, and market interventions, even as new data highlights the scale and regional spread of maize cultivation across the country.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur outlined the government’s initiatives to improve maize productivity, support farmers, and enhance value addition in the sector.
While the central government does not maintain specific data on the number of farmers engaged in maize cultivation, the latest Agriculture Census (2015–16) provides insight into operational holdings under maize, revealing its widespread adoption across India’s agro-climatic regions.
Maize Cultivation: A Widely Distributed Crop
Maize continues to be cultivated across diverse regions, from the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to major agricultural economies such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. According to the Agriculture Census 2015–16, India had over 1.69 crore operational holdings engaged in maize cultivation.
Annexure I: State-wise Number of Operational Holdings Engaged in Maize Cultivation (2015–16)
| Sl. No | State | Operational Holdings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A & N Islands | 2 |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | 3,20,522 |
| 3 | Arunachal Pradesh | 87,814 |
| 4 | Assam | 68,474 |
| 5 | Bihar | 43,17,309 |
| 6 | Chandigarh | 70 |
| 7 | Chhattisgarh | 3,32,217 |
| 8 | D & N Haveli | 5 |
| 9 | Daman & Diu | – |
| 10 | Delhi | 414 |
| 11 | Goa | – |
| 12 | Gujarat | 3,05,931 |
| 13 | Haryana | 17,973 |
| 14 | Himachal Pradesh | 6,50,011 |
| 15 | Jammu & Kashmir | 5,27,215 |
| 16 | Jharkhand | 7,67,875 |
| 17 | Karnataka | 12,91,432 |
| 18 | Kerala | 3,021 |
| 19 | Lakshadweep | – |
| 20 | Madhya Pradesh | 14,78,284 |
| 21 | Maharashtra | 10,66,819 |
| 22 | Manipur | 29,851 |
| 23 | Meghalaya | 1,06,445 |
| 24 | Mizoram | 13,555 |
| 25 | Nagaland | 1,17,525 |
| 26 | Odisha | 4,05,415 |
| 27 | Puducherry | – |
| 28 | Punjab | 1,20,888 |
| 29 | Rajasthan | 15,05,234 |
| 30 | Sikkim | 53,677 |
| 31 | Tamil Nadu | 6,28,958 |
| 32 | Telangana | 8,17,667 |
| 33 | Tripura | 11,309 |
| 34 | Uttar Pradesh | 13,69,224 |
| 35 | Uttarakhand | 2,92,318 |
| 36 | West Bengal | 2,22,812 |
| All India | 1,69,30,266 |
The data shows Bihar leading in the number of maize holdings, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka — underscoring maize’s importance in both subsistence and commercial farming systems.
National Mission Driving Production Growth
To increase maize production and improve productivity, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) across 28 states and two Union Territories. The programme aims to expand cultivation areas and enhance yields of rice, wheat, coarse cereals (including maize and barley), nutri-cereals, and commercial crops.
Under the mission, farmers receive assistance for:
- Demonstration of improved crop production and protection technologies
- Distribution of certified seeds
- Integrated nutrient and pest management
- Farmer training and capacity building
Central Funding Under NFSNM–Coarse Cereals (Maize & Barley)
| Year | Allocation (₹ crore) | Release (₹ crore) | Expenditure (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 72.03 | 50.48 | 43.95 |
| 2021–22 | 66.21 | 23.55 | 28.90 |
| 2022–23 | 44.57 | 19.51 | 18.06 |
| 2023–24 | 68.68 | 39.32 | 28.76 |
| 2024–25 | 92.57 | 73.48 | 61.70 |
The funding trend indicates renewed government focus in recent years, with allocations rising significantly in 2024–25.
Higher MSP and Market Support
To encourage maize cultivation and ensure remunerative returns, the government continues to revise the Minimum Support Price (MSP). For the 2025–26 marketing season, maize MSP has been increased to ₹2,400 per quintal, representing a 7.8% rise over the previous year.
In addition, maize farmers are supported through the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), which facilitates digital trading and price discovery in regulated markets.
Boost to Value Addition and Processing
The government is also promoting maize-based industries through the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Schemes such as:
- Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
provide financial support for processing units, value addition, and market linkages. These initiatives aim to expand maize’s role beyond food and feed into industrial applications, strengthening rural entrepreneurship.
Research and Innovation Driving Productivity
India’s maize sector is receiving significant support from agricultural research institutions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed high-yielding and stress-tolerant maize varieties, while the ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) are implementing projects under the NFSM framework.
Between 2014 and 2025, the Central Variety Release Committee approved 315 maize varieties and hybrids suited to different agro-ecological conditions. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Maize is also working on location-specific climate-resilient hybrids to enhance production.
Regional Trends: Area and Productivity Leaders
Over the past five years, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have consistently dominated maize cultivation area, while states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have led in productivity.
Annexure II: Top States in Maize Cultivation (Area and Productivity)
2020–21
| Rank | Area (Thousand Ha) | State | Productivity (Kg/Ha) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,726 | Karnataka | 6,782 | Telangana |
| 2 | 1,405 | Madhya Pradesh | 6,752 | West Bengal |
| 3 | 1,182 | Maharashtra | 6,408 | Tamil Nadu |
| 4 | 993 | Rajasthan | 5,917 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 5 | 773 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,091 | Delhi |
2021–22
| Rank | Area (Thousand Ha) | State | Productivity (Kg/Ha) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,592 | Karnataka | 7,066 | Tamil Nadu |
| 2 | 1,400 | Madhya Pradesh | 6,989 | West Bengal |
| 3 | 1,251 | Maharashtra | 5,553 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 4 | 952 | Rajasthan | 5,403 | Telangana |
| 5 | 747 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,100 | Delhi |
2022–23
| Rank | Area (Thousand Ha) | State | Productivity (Kg/Ha) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,912 | Karnataka | 7,138 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 2 | 1,448 | Madhya Pradesh | 7,007 | Tamil Nadu |
| 3 | 1,345 | Maharashtra | 6,285 | West Bengal |
| 4 | 957 | Rajasthan | 5,854 | Bihar |
| 5 | 891 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,557 | Telangana |
2023–24
| Rank | Area (Thousand Ha) | State | Productivity (Kg/Ha) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,972 | Karnataka | 6,633 | West Bengal |
| 2 | 1,543 | Madhya Pradesh | 6,239 | Tamil Nadu |
| 3 | 1,326 | Maharashtra | 6,225 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 4 | 1,104 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,975 | Bihar |
| 5 | 956 | Bihar | 5,671 | Telangana |
2024–25
| Rank | Area (Thousand Ha) | State | Productivity (Kg/Ha) | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,303 | Madhya Pradesh | 6,999 | West Bengal |
| 2 | 1,914 | Karnataka | 6,510 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3 | 1,625 | Maharashtra | 6,101 | Bihar |
| 4 | 1,007 | Rajasthan | 5,860 | Telangana |
| 5 | 896 | Bihar | 5,487 | Tamil Nadu |
The figures reveal shifting regional dynamics, with Madhya Pradesh emerging as the top state by cultivation area in 2024–25, while eastern and southern states continue to deliver high productivity through improved agronomy and hybrid adoption.
Maize Emerging as a Strategic Crop
With growing demand from food processing, poultry feed, starch industries and bio-economy applications, maize is increasingly viewed as a strategic crop for India’s agricultural future. Government policy support, research-driven innovation, and rising private sector investment are expected to strengthen maize’s role in ensuring food security, improving farm incomes and supporting agro-industrial growth.
As India expands its focus on climate-resilient agriculture and diversified cropping systems, maize is likely to remain at the centre of the country’s evolving agricultural landscape.
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