Market Trends of india maize seed Industry
Owing to its favorable agro-climatic conditions and robust demand for corn products, India has the second-largest cultivation area in Asia-Pacific
- Corn ranks third in India's cereal crop hierarchy, after rice and wheat. It constituted approximately 10% of the country's food grain production. In 2021, India stood as the world's fifth-largest maize producer, contributing 2.6% to the global output. Additionally, India holds the second-largest maize cultivation area in Asia-Pacific, with 10 million hectares dedicated to maize in the same period. While the Kharif season traditionally dominates maize cultivation, the rise of innovative cultivars and surging demand for corn products, like ethanol, has made winter maize cultivation increasingly viable. Consequently, the country witnessed a 4.2% increase in maize cultivation area from 2017 to 2022.
- Notably, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu emerged as India's primary maize-growing regions in 2022, collectively accounting for 80% of the total maize acreage. These regions' dominance is attributed to their favorable weather conditions for maize crops, leading to heightened demand for maize seeds.
- However, the maize cultivation area experienced a decline of 0.4 million hectares, dropping to 9 million hectares in 2019. This shift was driven by growers pivoting toward high-profit crops like soybean and canola. These oil crops gained favor due to their resilience in adverse weather and the rising demand from oil processing industries.
- Favorable agro-climatic conditions, coupled with the escalating demand for corn products, have been pivotal in driving the expansion of maize cultivation in India. This trend is expected to bolster maize seed sales in the country in the coming years.
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The rising prevalence of pests and diseases, leading to significant yield losses, is fueling the need for enhanced maize varieties with multiple traits
- Growers prioritize cultivating corn due to its high profitability and their demand for specific traits. These traits include weed control, enhanced grain quality, early maturity, tolerance to lodging, and resistance to diseases like leaf curl and early rots. Additionally, growers seek corn varieties that exhibit adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions. Notably, companies like Bayer AG, BASF SE, and Syngenta offer traits that bolster disease resistance and productivity. These seed varieties are in high demand as there are no viable alternatives or sprays available for disease resistance.
- Maize faces significant pest challenges in India, with four major pests being the spotted stem borer, pink stem borer, shoot fly, and fall armyworm. The spotted stem borer predominantly affects crops during the Kharif season, leading to yield losses ranging from 26% to 80% across different regions. Similarly, the pink stem borer poses a threat during the Rabi season, causing yield losses between 25.7% and 78.9%. Companies like Corteva Agriscience and BASF SE offer insect control products to combat these pests.
- With changing weather patterns and an uptick in lodging issues, traits like wider adaptability, lodging tolerance, uniformity, and drought tolerance are gaining traction. Companies are actively introducing new products in response. For example, in 2023, Bioseed, a subsidiary of DCM Shriram, launched the corn hybrid 9792 in the Indian market.
- Farmers are increasingly turning to improved seed varieties to mitigate losses, boost yields, and enhance resistance against pests and diseases.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Hybrid breeding dominates the maize sector, given its status as a cross-pollinated crop
