Maize is the most essential food crop in India. It's known as the 'queen of cereals'. With its growing demand in the poultry feed industry, starch processing, ethanol production, and food sectors, maize now holds a central place in diversified cropping systems. For professional and large-scale farmers, understanding the agro-ecological and technical parameters is key to unlocking higher yields and better profits. Maharashtra’s diverse agro-climatic zones offer significant potential for sustainable maize cultivation when approached with precision. Let's have a look at why Maharashtra is an Ideal Environment for Growing Maize
Maharashtra lies predominantly in the tropical and subtropical belt, with a mix of semi-arid and sub-humid agro-climatic zones. This makes it possible to grow maize in all three major seasons; Kharif (monsoon), Rabi (post-monsoon) and Summer (pre-monsoon). During Kharif (June to September), maize is typically grown under rainfed conditions. Although rainfall is sufficient in most regions, erratic monsoons and waterlogging can cause variable yields. Rabi maize (October to January) is primarily irrigated and benefits from residual soil moisture after paddy harvest in regions like Kolhapur and Sangli. Summer maize (February to May) is entirely dependent on assured irrigation and is best suited for seed production or feed markets, with minimal disease pressure and optimal control over inputs.
Maize is highly responsive to soil conditions. It prefers well-drained, deep loamy soils rich in organic matter. The ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, with electrical conductivity below 1 dS/m. In Maharashtra, sandy loam soils in Nashik and Ahmednagar, as well as the alluvial soils in parts of Vidarbha, offer ideal conditions. However, the black cotton soils in Marathwada require special attention due to their heavy texture and poor drainage.
Ideal temperature for maize ranges between 20°C to 35°C throughout its lifecycle. However, temperatures above 38°C during tasseling and silking can lead to poor pollination and significant yield loss. Therefore, precise sowing dates and moisture management are critical, especially for summer crops. Drip irrigation or micro-sprinklers are strongly recommended for summer maize as they save 40–45% of water and reduce weed growth. Maintaining proper field drainage during Kharif, especially in black soil zones, is critical to prevent root diseases.
Progressive farmers should undertake soil testing every two years to determine nutrient deficiencies and pH imbalances. Gypsum or lime can be applied to adjust soil structure and pH. Incorporating organic manure (5–7 tons/ha) and green manure improves soil microbial activity and structure, especially in rainfed belts. Its sensitive to water stress at key physiological stages, germination, knee-high, tasseling, silking and grain filling. In rainfed areas, conservation techniques such as mulching, ridge-furrow sowing, or compartment bunding are effective. In irrigated Rabi and Summer maize, scheduling is more flexible but must be optimized for efficiency.
Maize is a high nutrient-demanding crop. A standard fertilizer recommendation based on soil testing includes 150–180 kg Nitrogen, 60–80 kg Phosphorus, and 40–60 kg Potassium per hectare. Nitrogen should be split into 3–4 doses, with the first applied at sowing and the rest during vegetative and reproductive stages.
Micronutrients like zinc and boron are often deficient in Maharashtra soils. Application of 25 kg/ha zinc sulphate and 10 kg/ha borax, either as basal or foliar sprays, can significantly improve crop health and kernel quality. Progressive farmers are also advised to adopt fertigation in drip-irrigated fields for uniform and efficient nutrient delivery.
Maize should be harvested when the husks turn brown and kernels are fully matured, with about 22–24% moisture. Delayed harvesting in humid zones increases the risk of fungal infections and aflatoxin contamination. After harvesting, ears must be dried to below 13% grain moisture for long-term storage.
With this growing trend, Maharashtra is witnessing a significant increase in maize demand from poultry feed manufacturers (Ahmednagar, Pune), ethanol distilleries (Solapur, Chh. Sambhajinagar), and starch industries (Kolhapur, Mumbai region). The Central Government’s push for a 20% ethanol blending target by 2025 ensures maize will continue to have strong industrial demand. Farmers can benefit from aggregating under FPOs or co-operative models to access bulk contracts, better pricing and credit support.
By adopting advanced hybrids, precision irrigation, integrated nutrient and pest management, and leveraging emerging markets like ethanol and feed, professional farmers in Maharashtra can capitalize on the state's favorable environment for maize cultivation, ensuring consistent quality, bulk quantity and reduced foreign matter, key preferences of maize processors and ultimately making maize a highly profitable and sustainable crop in their rotation.