“Maize is the most important raw material for the poultry sector.
- Approximately 68% to 72% is feed cost, with 60% maize, for producing one Kg of live broiler, and
- Approximately 70% of the feed cost is 55% maize, which is used to produce one table egg.
Looks like we are into the grain business & not the poultry.
Shortly, factors adding pressure on maize are –
- Use of Maize for Ethanol production.
- Growth of the egg sector by 5%.
- Growth of broilers at 6% & last but not least,
- Slow growth of crop agriculture at 1.7% annually.
So, the poultry sector’s dependency on one cereal/grain, “MAIZE,” is crucial for its sustainability, survivability, and profitability.
From this perspective, a three-year digital maize production exercise is undertaken, using digital technology, analytical tools, machine learning, algorithms, and scientific survey methodology.
The project will give us close to accurate data on the total acreage under maize cultivation, its health during the growth phase, and estimates of maize production and yields.
The data will be available to the sector in real time, covering 95% of India’s Maize production area (207 districts in 17 states in Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid seasons) ahead of the harvest.
Why this project?
- We can estimate Indian maize production season-wise & take corrective action for production planning, if needed.
- The poultry sector can inform the Ministry of AH, Dairy, Fisheries & Poultry of maize supply and impact policy changes, if necessary.
- Share this data with the Ministry of Agriculture, its policy/action on a need basis.
- Share this data with the Ministry of Commerce for its attention and action, if needed.
- Share data with the Ministry of Petroleum as they divert maize from time to time for Ethanol production.
- Based on this data, we can suggest solutions for the Government of India’s GM and non-GM policies.
- Data will also impact the outlook for Maize DDGS.
For the first time, post-independence, the Karnataka Poultry Farmers & Breeders Association initiated the concept of “crowdfunding” to fund this “National Maize Survey & Production” exercise.
We acknowledge the financial support from –
- CLFMA of India,
- Poultry Federation of India,
- Poultry Breeders Coordination Committee (VenCobb),
- Broiler Coordination Committee,
- Telangana Poultry Breeders Association,
- West Bengal Poultry Federation,
- Maharashtra Breeders Association,
- Central India VenCobb Broiler Breeders & Hatcheries Association &
- Odisha Poultry Association.
To prepare the RFP, select the vendor, and monitor this project’s progress at regular intervals (once every 15 days), the “Maize survey working committee” was formed. The committee comprises,
- Mr Ankur Kohli (24 years of experience in GIS, satellite & spatial technologies & Ex VP, Rolta India Ltd).
- Dr Swarna Subba Rao (former Survey General of India),
- Mr Divya Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India,
- Mr Vikas Dhull, representing North India & PFI,
- Mr Dinesh Muthuswamy, BCC.
- Mr Naveen Pasuparthy, President, KPFBA & Dy Chairman, CLFMA.
India having
- 700 districts of which
- 550 districts are agriculture-based economy &
- 207 of these are maize growing districts.
The survey will meticulously capture the crop’s health during its growth phase, temperature, humidity, rainfall, land area under maize cultivation, yield calculations per acre, factors impacting yield, etc., in real time.
Dashboards are set up to monitor the above across the country during all three seasons (Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid). The dashboard is updated once every 15 days, giving the sector visibility into crop conditions. The data generated will also be shared with all associations that have been a part of this journey.
The working committee’s first meeting was held on 9 April 2025 at the Novotel, Hyderabad Airport. The project plans to start with a selected vendor from the Kharif 2025 season.
As we conclude this note to the sector, we propose to recall some sayings.
- It’s better to try & fail than not to try at all.
- Miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep.
- Efforts are guaranteed 1000%, results are not.
Once again, we thank all associations for coming together on one platform to fund and support this important exercise for the poultry sector.