Friday, December 05, 2025 | 11:05 PM ISTहिंदी में पढें
Business Standard
Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch

Why are paddy and maize acreages seeing a big jump this kharif?

Better prices above MSP, coupled with demand from ethanol producers for their fuel-blending programme, are pushing the popularity of maize

corn
premium

Retail inflation in maize and maize-based products, too, has risen from 5.29 per cent in July 2025 to 7.21 per cent in June 2024. It had risen to over 8 per cent in April 2025. | File Photo

Sanjeeb Mukherjee New Delhi

Listen to This Article

Paddy and maize are among the two major crops that have seen the highest increase in area under cultivation so far this kharif season, compared to the last season, as per the latest data from the department of agriculture.
 
The increase in paddy acreage is understandable, given that the crop has been giving good returns over the past few years and export restrictions have also been eased, further lifting sentiment.
 
As per a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, India is poised to export a record over 24 million tonnes (MT) rice in the 2025-26 season. The fact that