A concept note was prepared by CInI for its Kharif Maize Stabilisation Theme, to initiate maize stabilisation program in Western Areas of Central Indian Tribal Belt. ---Aditya Petwal KMS Theme Anchor

1. Concept Note on Kharif Maize Stabilization
Background
2.1 Maize : The world Scenario
Maize is one of the most important cereals of the world. With its world average yield of
27.8 q/ha maize ranks first among cereals and is followed by rice (22.5 q/ha), wheat (16.
3 q/ha) and millets (6.6 q/ha). In terms of world acreage, India stands fifth next only to
the USA, Brazil, China and Mexico,
whereas with regard to production it ranks Top Ten Maize Producers in 2007
Producing
sixth. Countries Production (Tonnes)
USDA report, quoted by karvey1, gives an USA 332,092,180
CHINA 151,970,000
account of International trade in corn in the
Brazil 51,589,721
year 2007-08, till March, is accounted to
Mexico 22,500,000
95.087 million tonnes which is higher than
Argentina 21,755,364
previous year’s shipment of 93.75 million India 16,780,000
tonnes. Top exporters in the global market France 13,107,000
are United states with a share of 65% in total Indonesia 12,381,561
exports followed by Argentina with a share Canada 10,554,500
of 15%. Brazil stood in third place with 11% Italy 9,891,362
India remained in the exporters list at sixth Source: FAO
place by exporting 7 lakh tonnes that comes
to 1 percent from India’s total production.
For year 2007 -08 production of maize in India, was estimated around 16.9 million tones
which was higher than our domestic requirement. According to USDA report quoted by
karvey2, India’s domestic consumption is estimated around 15.5 million tonnes. From the
September 2007 to March 2008 export from India accounted to 7 lakh tonnes which was
higher by 55% compared to previous year’s export of 4.5 million tones. Though
commodity markets don’t highlight export –import information of maize as other food
grains but various reports of market intelligence market intelligence groups tell about its
growing demand in international market.
2.2 Maize yields in India
In India, Maize is an important cereal, and both its area and production have steadily
increased during the past two decades. For year 2006-7, the largest area under the kharif
maize is in Rajasthan (1.0 m ha), followed by Karnataka (0.94 m ha), Uttar Pradesh(0.81
m ha), Madhya Pradesh (0.86m ha) . Area, Production and yield for maize in prominent
growing states is as given below.
Maize (Corn) production has shown an average of 2.6 per cent growth rate per annum
during the past 16 years. Ninety per cent of maize is raised as a kharif crop in India.
1
Karvy Comtrade Ltd SEASONAL REPORT ON Maize 2008 ; http://www.karvycomtrade.com/
2
Karvy Comtrade Ltd SEASONAL REPORT ON Maize 2008 ; http://www.karvycomtrade.com /
1

2. 2006-07 2005-06 %
Cover
age
Under
Irrigat
ion
% Prod % Are % % Yiel Durin
All - uctio All - Yield a All - Produc All - d g
Area Indi n (m Indi (Kg/ (m Indi tion (m Indi (Kg/ 2005-0
State (m ha) a Tons) a ha) ha) a Tons) a ha) 6*
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 13 14
291
Karnataka 1.0 12.2 2.7 18.0 2829 0.9 12.4 2.7 18.6 5 41.7
Andhra 407
Pradesh 0.7 9.3 2.5 16.3 3396 0.8 10.0 3.1 21.0 3 34.3
209
Bihar 0.6 8.1 1.7 11.4 2671 0.7 8.6 1.4 9.2 8 57.3
Uttar 129
Pradesh 0.9 11.0 1.2 7.7 1335 0.8 10.7 1.1 7.1 5 28.4
Maharashtr 210
a 0.6 7.4 1.2 7.6 1983 0.5 6.2 1.0 6.8 6 9.7
109
Rajasthan 1.0 13.1 1.1 7.4 1086 1.0 13.2 1.1 7.5 8 4.7
Madhya 145
Pradesh 0.9 10.9 0.8 5.6 976 0.9 11.3 1.3 8.5 0 1.9
Tamil 118
Nadu 0.2 2.5 0.8 5.0 3838 0.2 2.6 0.2 1.6 9 29.5
Himanchal 183
Pradesh 0.3 3.8 0.7 4.6 2326 0.3 4.0 0.5 3.7 9 8.0
Jammu & 141
Kashmir 0.3 4.1 0.5 3.2 1505 0.3 4.2 0.5 3.1 3 8.0
272
Punjab 0.2 1.9 0.5 3.2 3123 0.2 2.0 0.4 2.7 3 60.4
112
Gujarat 0.5 6.6 0.4 2.4 698 0.5 6.6 0.6 3.8 4 6.7
131
Jharkhand 0.2 3.0 0.3 2.0 1230 0.2 2.4 0.2 1.6 5 1.8
West 253
Bengal 0.1 1.1 0.3 1.7 2968 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.9 3 7.0
Others 0.4 5.1 0.6 3.9 @ 0.4 5.3 0.6 3.9 @ -
193
All India 7.89 100 15.1 100 1912 7.59 100 14.71 100 8 21.1
@ - Since area/ production is low in individual states, yield rate is not
worked out.
Note: States have been arranged in descending order of percentage share of production
2

3. during 2006-07.
* Provisional
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India
2.3 Consumption pattern
More than 60 per cent of corn produced is used by the poultry and livestock industry,
while 12 per cent is consumed by starch manufacturers. Breweries and exports account
for about 12 per cent while the remaining is used for human consumption3. The demand
from all sectors has recorded a steady growth over the years. However, India does not
produce ethanol from corn. High yielding seeds, coupled with attractive realization, are
expected to result in a shift to maize in the coming years, leading to a steady increase in
production.
2.4 Demand for Maize
Multipurpose use of this agri product is creating a high demand for it in national and
international market. Its demand as feed for poultry and other livestock is slated to swell
substantially as the growth of the poultry industry is reckoned to rise from the present 11
to 12 per cent a year to nearly 15 per cent in next few years, due to increasing demand for
eggs and poultry meat. In most of the major domestic mandis, maize traded steady to
better on good domestic and strong export demand. For instance, Ahmedabad starch
quality and poultry feed mills quality moved up Rs.20 and Rs.25/qtl respectively on good
demand from the starch makers and feed industries. Bihar maize is also trading firm in
consuming centers of Tamil Nadu at Rs.950-1000/qtl.
Sailing of vessels at regular intervals further added to the positive tone. The port delivery
at Kandla stood at Rs.950/qtl., exporting maize to Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka. As per the some estimates, India may export more than 3 million tones of maize
in 2008. Its increasing use in biofuel generation is further raising its importance. Global
corn production is expected to increase by 10 per cent in 2007-08 to touch 766 million
tonnes, reflecting its increasing popularity.4 Today, maize accounts for nearly 30 per cent
share of total global grain production.
Food and feed use account for a major part of maize consumption. For the year 2007,
corn use for feed purposes was estimated at 472.71 million tonnes (61.3 per cent)
whereas for food it was estimated at 277.51 million tonnes (36 per cent). Corn usage is
expected to increase steadily as its availability expands and also because of its
competitive pricing with regard to other cereals, easy processing and acceptability as a
concentrated source of energy in animal feed. Besides, production of fuel ethanol from
3
Nair Veena; The production of ethanol from maize or corn has led to a sharp rise in
demand for the grain, and its price. In terms of energy delivered per unit of money, corn
scores over other grains; http://www.commoditywatch.in/
4
Commodities Insight 9th June, 2008 www.reliancemoney.com/
3

4. corn is leading to a sharp rise in demand for the grain in international market. In terms of
energy delivered per unit of money, corn scores over other grains.
2.5 Seasonality of Maize in Indian States
Maize cultivation can be done in all three seasons in a year. However, in India, 80- 82%
of the crop is harvested from kharif season. In this season sowing takes place after onset
of the South West monsoon i.e., from June month and continue till August month. Kharif
Maize is a short duration crop i.e., 120 days for one season. Left over production comes
from Rabi and summer crop under well water managed conditions. Seasonality of few
(prominent) maize growing states is shown in table given below.
States Agricultural Months (Maize)
Se Fe
May Jun July Jul Aug p Oct Nov Dec Jan b Mar Apr
Karnataka (K)
Ahandra
Pradesh (k)
Ahandra
Pradesh (R)
Bihar( R)
Bihar (K)
Maharashtra(K)
Madhya
Pradesh(K)
Uttar
Pradesh(K)
Rajasthan (K)
Gujarat (K)
Sowing
Harvesting
Source: modified from Karvey special report 2006-07
2.6 Maize Productions in Central India Belt
In central India region (Rajasthan,Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) a lion share
of maize producing farm lands fall in tribal areas where it is done in marginal land
holdings in traditional manner. Productivity of maize in these region, come to levels
neither ensuring year round food sufficiency nor being able to produce scaled surplus to
attract market towards them.
4

5. Table 2: Yearwise area and production of Maize in different maize growing Tribal Districts of
Gujarat
Maize Year Area Productio Maize Year Area Producti
Growing (Ha) n (Tons) Growin (Ha) on (Tons)
Tribal g Tribal
Dist Dist
BANAS 1999-0 6700 10000 SABAR 1999-00 11770 178300
KANTHA 0 KANT 0
2000-0 6200 9400 HA 2000-01 10880 93600
1 0
2001-0 9800 30600 2001-02 13240 284100
2 0
2002-0 7800 6500 2002-03 14370 181000
3 0
2003-0 9400 25700 2003-04 14630 266700
4 0
2004-0 8500 17000 2004-05 12730 143500
5 0
PANCH 1999-0 183700 204500 VADO 1999-00 49600 59600
MAHALS 0 DARA
2000-0 184300 103500 2000-01 50200 46700
1 2001-02 54600 105100
2001-0 204300 379900 2002-03 53800 89900
2
2002-0 219200 422100 2003-04 50400 82300
3 2004-05 52000 58200
2003-0 106500 143700
4
2004-0 114800 76900
5
DOHAD 2003-0 123700 224500
4
2004-0 124000 78900
5
Figures collected from Agriculture department indicate huge fluctuations in annual yield
figures in almost all the districts. In case of Gujarat the graph shown below indicate that
there have ever been annual fluctuations in maize yields ranging between 0. 4 tons/ha
( Vadodra) to 2.2 tons /ha (Banaskhanta). The figures of area and production, over past 5
to 6 years, under maize also give an interesting picture to analyze. In North Gujarat tribal
area maximum area taken under maize is in Panchmahal, next to which is Dahod and
5

6. Sabarkhanta. While area under production in Panchmahal and Sabarkhanta keeps
fluctuating significantly in case of Vadodra and Banaskhanta they are less fluctuating
while in case of dahod it is negligible. And thus significant fluctuations can be noticed in
case of district level productions. Thus area under cultivation plays the very first level of
crucial role to decide about the maize production in the region.
Similarly in case of Tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and South Rajasthan, as
is indicated in graphs shown below, significant fluctuations can be observed in yield
levels of Maize.
Fluctuation in Maize Yields in Gujarat Districts Fluctuations in Maize Yield in South Madhya Pradesh
3.0
3.5
3.0 2.5
Yield (Tonnes/Ha)
2.5
Yield (Tonnes/Ha)
2.0
2.0
1.5 1.5
1.0
1.0
0.5
0.0 0.5
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
1999-00
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2004-05
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2003-04
2004-05
2000-01
2002-03
2003-04
0.0
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
1999-00
2000-01
2003-04
2004-05
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
1999-00
2000-01
2004-05
2001-02
2002-03
1999-00
2000-01
BANAS KANTHA DOHAD PANCH MAHALS SABARKANTHA VADODARA
Dhar Jhabua Khandwa Khargond
Fluctuations in Maize Yields In North Maharashtra Fluctuations in Miaze Yields in South Rajasthan
2.5
3.5
3.0 2.0
2.5
Yield (Tonnes/Ha)
1.5
Yield (Tonnes/Ha)
2.0
1.0
1.5
0.5
1.0
0.5 0.0
2002-03
2006-07
2000-01
2001-02
2003-04
2004-05
2006-07
1999-00
2000-01
2002-03
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2006-07
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2003-04
2004-05
1999-00
2002-03
2001-02
2003-04
2004-05
2006-07
0.0
1999-00
2002-03
1999-00
2002-03
2003-04
1999-00
2000-01
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2000-01
2001-02
2003-04
2004-05
2000-01
2001-02
2004-05
2001-02
BANSWARA CHITTOR GARH DUNGARPUR UDAIPUR
DHULE JALGAON NANDURBAR
Though there are varied factors which play and leave impact on maize yield, but
technolody and field practice is one of the major factors which is under human control.
CInI wish to build her, her partners’ and the perspective of the participant farmers on
these two major fronts and work for yield enhancement for establishing maize
stabilization in the Central Indian Tribal Region.
3. CInI and Its Vision on Kharif Maize Stabilization:
3.1 About CInI: Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiative (CInI) is supported by
SRTT to support thematic sectors that will augment tribal livelihoods in 107 blocks, eight
states of Central India region.
6

7. Collectives for integrated livelihoods (CInI) was registered in 2007 as a society, its main
focus is to emerge as a technical resource agency on issues related to tribal livelihoods in
the central indian dry-land tracts. The key roles and responsibilities of CInI, in a nutshell,
are : (a) acting as a networking and coordinating unit between civil society organizations,
government agencies and donors working in the central India region; (b) serving as a
knowledge bank, which would be a single source for the information related to tribal
livelihoods in central India, especially with regard to productive use of water resources;
(c) playing a role of an idea incubator, by exploring new ideas in the field by further
developing CInI; (d) developing brand equity for CInI; and (e) monitoring and providing
technical support to the organizations in implementing CInI strategies, through regular
monitoring missions and field visits.
3.2 Vision about Kharif Maize Stabilization:
Kharif Maize stablisation is one among the strategic thematic area of CInI to make heavy
dents on tribal poverty. Maize, in central Indian tribal tract (mainly in Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra), where it is the chief food crop on which the food
sufficiency of the tribal people depend, it equally has the potential to attract market to
provide maize for multipurpose uses. This indicates that a sustained incremental
investment in increasing maize productivity through a user-friendly Package of
Practices/ field strategy and various support mechanisms for Kharif maize promotion and
extension, with a focus on access to market and water will lead to increase in productivity
and surplus in the marginal land-holdings in this region. It will also lead to a change in
the farmers’ adaptive behavior related to maize production, growth and transfer of
learning from farmer to farmer, if the package is developed keeping the market and water
in mind.
CInI’s field strategy is in evolving phase, but it has kept few guiding principals in front of
it:
• To identify, like minded partners, working around maize and having willingness
to add value to the Kharif Maize Stabilization Initiative.
• To jointly evolve an improved and user friendly PoP/ field strategy enabling
farmers to bring sustained incremental changes in maize yields.
• To put the improved technique on ground and work for its aggressive and smooth
extension.
• To develop various institutional support systems, mechanisms and linkages to
stabilize the yields and progressively motivate farmers towards commercial maize
cropping.
• To integrate other related livelihood security components to it and develop it as an
integrated food and nutritional security program.
• To disseminate the learning of ‘Kharif Maize Stabilization Program’ in front of
GOs, NGOs , policy makers and the larger world.
• Eventually mainstreaming the ‘Kharif Maize Stablisation Program’ with national
level livelihood security programs.
7

8. 3.3 CInI’s Market led Vision around Maize: CInI believes market plays a crucial
role in today’s world. It attracts and get attracted in turn towards emerging business
opportunities. In this process it brings with it lot of other growth and development
supportive initiatives. Maize in central Indian Tribal belt, at present, is grown mostly
for subsistence purpose. Farmers as they don’t perceive and are not aware of market
led opportunities don’t have high motivation to take up commercial maize farming.
Analysis of value chain around maize would enable Civil Society Organization
working in this sector to facilitate appropriate placement of farmer groups in
identified value chains to make best bargains in favor of farmers and the sector.
Secondly analysis would help in materializing value additions in maize as demanded
by market. It would also help to make strategic linkages or tie ups like contract
farming or tie-ups with processing units before final placement of maize product, to
ensure best returns for growers and minimize risks involved.
3.4 CInI as Resource Organization
CInI’s role in whole program management cycle can be seen as a Resource
Organization working at various levels. In first year it would be playing various roles
as listed here
• Role of a facilitator and coordinator to oversee evolution of improved and user
friendly PoP/ field Strategy and its extension on ground through
demonstration, field trails and other ways.
• Role of an analyst of background market and farming situations, facilitator for
promotion of market led varieties and inputs, role of process documenter.
In second year it plays role of developing a full –fledged programme of KMS in the
region with focus on agri-processing and agri- business plan with partners. (by
establishing linkages with regional processing units for value additions and placing in
right market and accordingly promoting type of corn and commercial farming
practices.)
All the interventions on ground would be done through partners.
4. Timeline
2009
Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
gap analysis & NGO
networking & ERP hiriing
Value Chain Supply Chain
Study
Reviwing NGO
Partnership
Development of PoP for
Pilot
Vision Convergence and
Action Planning Workshop
Undertaking field trials in
fields of regional partners
8

9. Farmer to Farmer demo of
PoP at inception
Incubating required Agri
Mechanisation
Monitoring & Cross
Monitoring anlysing
feasiblity and user
friendliness of PoP/
Strategy proposed
Mid term Progress Review
by ERP
Mid term Progress sharing
workshop for Partners,
also tuching
institutionalisation issues
On Farm demonstration
by farmers exposure to
PoP Outputs at the end
A study for micro financial
needs of farmers in Kharif
Maize Cultivation process
Farmer to farmer
experience sharing and
extension through IEC
material
Incubating required
institutionalisation for
Kharif Maize Stablisation
Experience Sharing
among the regional
partners and plan for next
season extension
Process Documentation of
whole exercise towards
development of field
practice book or hand
book for practise of Kharif
Maize stablisation
Establishing a supply
chain by Linkaging up with
players in local market
Estimating the next
season's production and
initiating tie ups for value
chain establishment post
next season harvest
Knowledge Management
Networking and Coordination
Idea Incubation
Monitoring and Technical Backstopping
9