Maize rates to be stable during harvest

At present, maize prices were prevailing around Rs 1,500-1,520 per quintal in Udumalpet regulated market in the State and econometric analysis carried out by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University revealed that the prices would be stable in January-February, a release said. Though there was lesser export demand, domestic demand would support the prices to stabilize during harvest, Agro Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Centre in the University said.

During 2014-15, maize was cultivated in 0.33 million hectares in Tamil Nadu with a production of 1.81 million tonnes. Tamil Nadu maize production will satisfy only the half of the state’s demand and arrivals will flow from December end to February, the release said.

While fresh maize arrivals from Karnataka, which commenced from November, will continue till mid-December and in March, Andhra Pradesh arrivals will meet the domestic demand and subsequently April-May arrivals from Bihar will meet the poultry feed demand of Tamil Nadu.

Maize is a versatile crop having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions and in 2014-15, maize was cultivated in 7.8 million hectares, producing 16.3 million tonnes with a productivity of 2,552 kg/ha. Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are the major maize growing States in India.