Ethanol’s Impact on Corn Production: Doubling Yields in Five Years

Ethanol will increase corn production in the next five years, production will double

As per the biofuel policy, there will be a greater emphasis in the near future on decreasing ethanol production from sugarcane and boosting maize production. Indian Agricultural Research Institute scientist Ashok Singh highlights a significant rise in maize demand in recent years. With ethanol driving up poultry industry demand, maize could experience a substantial surge in demand. It ranks third among the country’s most cultivated food grains. Maize production was estimated at 34.6 million tons in 2022-23, up from 33.7 million tons in 2021-22, but dropped to 32.47 million tons in 2023-24.

Focus on High-Yielding Varieties

In India, maize holds importance as a key commercial crop after rice and wheat, contributing to the nation’s energy security. It is utilized for ethanol production within the country’s fuel blending initiative. Prioritizing high-yield maize varieties is essential for enhancing production.

Ethanol Production

Biofuels, sourced from grains like sugarcane, rice, and maize, are used for ethanol production. Presently, approximately 25 percent of ethanol is derived from sugarcane juice. Initiatives to procure maize at minimum support prices aim to bolster production, thereby augmenting farmers’ incomes.

Government promoted ethanol 

As per the government’s biofuel policy, there will be a focus on decreasing ethanol production from sugarcane and ramping up production from grains such as maize in the foreseeable future. Through the ambitious ‘Farm to Fuel’ initiative, the government is encouraging farmers to cultivate maize.

India is scaling up maize utilization to bolster ethanol production and ensure a sufficient supply of sweeteners in the market. With the government’s central procurement of maize, farmers are transitioning from other crops, leading to an increase of over 20 lakh hectares sown with grains this rabi season. According to official data, maize production was higher in key producing states last year – Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. India aims to augment maize production by up to 10 million tons over the next five years as the demand for ethanol production continues to surge.