July 10, 2025

 

India can boost corn yields without GM seeds - Agriculture Minister

 

India's Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the country has improved corn production without the use of genetically-modified (GM) corn. 

 

Speaking at the 11th India Corn Summit 2025, organised by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) in New Delhi, Minister Chouhan highlighted the vital role of India's economy and emphasised the importance of ensuring sustainable farming for future generations.

 

"We must ensure that the earth continues to yield food for the coming generations," Chouhan said. "Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, and farmers are its soul. Serving them is like worship to me."

 

He stressed the need to increase corn productivity, stating that while corn is now India's third-largest crop, its yield per hectare still needs significant improvement. "We don't use genetically modified (GM) seeds in corn cultivation, yet production has increased over the years. This shows that productivity can be enhanced through research and improved practices," he asserted.

 

He noted that corn production in India has risen from 10 million tonnes in the 1990s to 42.3 million tonnes today, and it is expected to reach 86 million tonnes by 2027. The average productivity currently stands at 3.78 tonnes per hectare, with states like West Bengal and Bihar performing above the national average. However, he emphasised the need to further boost this figure nationwide.

 

Referring to the role of Indian agricultural scientists, Chouhan praised the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for developing 265 corn varieties, including 77 hybrids and about 30 biofortified varieties. "There has been substantial work, but much more still needs to be done," he added.

 

Addressing the price volatility issue, Chouhan stated that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, has taken policy measures including increasing the minimum support price (MSP) and the promotion of ethanol production to ensure fair returns for corn growers. He also mentioned the importance of reducing the cost of cultivation and has instructed scientific bodies to find ways to lower per-hectare costs.

 

Highlighting global challenges, he said, "Climate change and global warming are major issues, and we need crops that can withstand such conditions. We must develop corn varieties that perform well in rainfed and water-stressed regions, while also supporting diversification in states like Punjab and Haryana where a shift from paddy to corn is necessary."

 

He also spoke about the importance of nutrition and corn-based byproducts. "DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles), a byproduct, is protein-rich—although corn contains about 25-30% protein compared to 40-45% in rice. Increasing corn protein content is a priority," he said.

 

Chouhan emphasised that specialty crops like sweet corn and baby corn offer immediate income and multiple cropping opportunities. "We must also develop better varieties in these segments to ensure better profitability for farmers," he concluded.

 

The event also recognised and honoured progressive corn farmers for their innovation and contribution to the sector.

 

-      Global Agriculture