Maize Farming Doubles in Maharashtra This Rabi Season

Maize farming in Maharashtra has doubled this rabi season, covering 4.84 lakh hectares, up from 2.58 lakh hectares last year. This increase is mainly due to the central government’s push for using maize in ethanol production and the rising demand for animal feed, poultry feed, and fodder.

The Agriculture Department reported that overall rabi sowing in the state has increased by 10.59 lakh hectares compared to the usual average. While maize cultivation has grown significantly, the area under rabi jowar has decreased, and crops like wheat, chickpeas, and pulses have seen moderate growth.

Earlier, maize prices had risen to ₹30 per kg, motivating farmers to grow more maize. Rafiq Naikwadi, Director of Agriculture (Development & Extension), stated that the ethanol policy and high feed demand have played a big role in this expansion.