January 17, 2016
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has predicted stable prices for maize, at around Rs.1350-1400 per quintal this harvest season, and has advised the farmers decide their crops accordingly.
Tamil Nadu cultivated maize in 0.33 million hectare with a production of 1.81 million tonnes in 2014-15, according to the report of the Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre of TNAU. Perambalur, Tirupur, Dindigul, Theni, Tuticorin and Salem are the major maize cultivating zones.
Local crops have started to arrive from Ariyalur, Perambalur and Pudukottai districts. Produce from other districts will begin from mid-January and in March. The crop from Andhra Pradesh is taken up for human consumption. Crop from Bihar is used for poultry and animal feed.
Maize in India is cultivated in 7.8 million hectare. 16.03 million tonnes is the total annual production. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are the leading maize-producing states.