Highlights of 1st International Maize Conference 2026

Highlights of 1st International Maize Conference 2026

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Key takeaways

  • India currently produces 55 million tonnes of maize and targets 75 million tonnes over the next decade with a 1.5-fold boost in productivity.
  • The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 took place in Hyderabad, Telangana under the M4FS theme.
  • The updated 5F approach adds Farmers to the traditional Food, Feed, Fodder, and Fuel strategy to secure sustainable farm income.
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed 329 maize hybrids over the past five years to improve yields and crop resilience.
  • Maize plays a growing role as a key feedstock for ethanol production to support India's national bioenergy goals.

Why in News

  • Hyderabad, Telangana hosted the 1st International Maize Conference 2026.
  • The conference adopted the theme 'Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World' (M4FS).
  • Scientists, policymakers, and industry experts gathered to boost maize productivity, research, and sustainable value-chain development.

Maize Production Targets and the Expanded 5F Approach

  • India produces about 55 million tonnes of maize currently.
  • The government aims to raise this output to 75 million tonnes over the next decade.
  • Plans focus on boosting productivity by 1.5 times through modern technology, better farming techniques, and efficient resource management.
  • The standard 4F framework (Food, Feed, Fodder, and Fuel) now adds a fifth F for Farmers.
  • This expanded strategy keeps farmer profitability and sustainable income at the core of all maize development programs.

Systems-Science Approach and ICAR Research Efforts

  • Experts urged combining advanced crop breeding, improved farming methods, and smart resource use to close yield gaps across different seasons and regions.
  • This production growth must happen without reducing the land used for growing oilseeds and pulses.
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) created 329 maize hybrids in the last five years.
  • ICAR recommended strengthening the All India Coordinated Research Project on Maize (AICRP on Maize) to develop high-yielding, nutrient-rich varieties that resist pests, diseases, and harsh weather.
  • The strategy highlights modern breeding, germplasm conservation, farm mechanization, and affordable quality seeds through public-sector hybrids.

Safety, Biofuel Role, and Global Collaboration

  • The conference stressed controlling aflatoxins to keep human food and animal feed safe.
  • Aflatoxins are poisonous substances made by specific Aspergillus fungi that endanger human and animal health.
  • Maize is becoming vital as a raw material for ethanol production, helping India meet its clean energy and energy-security goals.
  • Speakers called for stronger partnerships between research institutes, farm universities, industry, and global groups like CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center).
  • The top global maize producers for 2025-26 include the United States, China, Brazil, Argentina, the European Union, and India.