Maize

Maize (Corn), is of American origin, and after wheat and rice, it is the most important cereal grain in the world. It provides nutrition to both humans (33.3%) and animals (66.6 %). Serves as basic raw material for the production of starch, oil and protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners and more recently fuel. Special crops grown primarily for food include sweet corn and popcorn, although dent, starchy or floury and flint maize are also widely used as food. Flint maize is also used as feed. Immature ordinary corn on the cob either boiled or roasted is widely consumed.

India's maize production fluctuates between 10-14 million tons, with 80-90% of the production being in the khariff season. Major states that contribute in Maize productions are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Around 6.5 million tons (roughly 50 % of total consumption) goes for feed use, primarily for poultry feed. Another 1 million tons of corn is used by the starch industry.