Farmers in the Tamil Nadu maize-growing belt have been advised to go for maize cultivation this season ( Thaipattam ). Farm varsity economists, who made a study of the maize price movement, aver that the produce would fetch remunerative returns.

While confirming their predictions, the economists have advised farmers to sow bold seeded varieties / hybrids to ensure good returns.

Stating that the Karthigaipattam -sown (late kharif) maize had started arriving in the market and is expected to end by April, the experts said the maize crop in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was estimated to be good this season. The area under maize in rabi 2010-11 swelled to 10.80 lakh hectares against 10.34 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of the earlier season. Notwithstanding the increase in area, the demand for the produce increased in Tamil Nadu with the poultry industry looking to the commodity for feed requirement.

Maize is grown in Perambalur, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Virudhunagar districts.

Data collated by the National Agricultural Innovation Project-Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (NAIP – DEMIC) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University show the price of maize is ruling around Rs 920-940 a quintal. DEMIC had in November 2010 predicted that the price would prevail around Rs 925-975 a quintal till February 2011 and could increase further. It foresees the price to range between Rs 950 and Rs 1,150 a quintal between April and June.

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