ICAR chief wants India’s maize output raised from 55 to 75 million tonnes

India's maize output has reached roughly 55 million tonnes, and the country should aim for 75 million tonnes over the next decade, the head of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research said as the first International Maize Conference opened in Hyderabad.

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, also called for a further 1.5-fold rise in productivity through better technology, crop management and use of resources. The conference, themed "Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World", runs from 2 to 4 November at the JD Convention Centre.

Farmers at the centre

Jat proposed widening the "4F" vision of food, feed, fodder and fuel to "5F" by putting farmers at the centre, saying research must lead to higher profitability and better livelihoods. He backed a systems-science approach to close yield gaps and to target maize across seasons and zones "without compromising" oilseeds and pulses. He also stressed affordable, quality seed, especially public-sector hybrids.

What other speakers said

• Dr D. K. Yadav, ICAR Deputy Director General (Crop Science): noted 329 maize hybrids developed over the past five years and called for a stronger All India Coordinated Research Project on Maize, and for industry collaboration on maize as an ethanol feedstock.
• Dr R. S. Paroda, former ICAR Director General: urged advanced breeding, germplasm conservation, stronger value chains and aflatoxin management.
• Dr S. Vasal: advocated simple, low-cost breeding approaches.

Scientific publications were released and awards were given to maize researchers. The release does not give a date for any new target to take effect.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (02 NOV 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: 1st International Maize Conference 2026 Calls for Higher Productivity, Innovative Breeding and Farmer-Centric Research.