The Green Revolution in Maize

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Context

• The Green Revolution, spearheaded by institutions like CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) and IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute), transformed India's agricultural landscape.
• Under the guidance of scientists such as Norman Borlaug and M S Swaminathan, high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice were developed.
• This led India to achieve self-sufficiency in these staple grains, overcoming earlier food security challenges.

READ ABOUT GREEN REVOLUTION IN AGRICULTURE: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/gene-revolution-in-agriculture

'INDIAN AGRICULTURE: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES' REPORT: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indian-agriculture-achievements-and-challenges-report

The Rise of Maize Production

Historical Context and Growth

• While the Green Revolution's focus was on wheat and rice, a significant yet less celebrated transformation occurred in maize production.
• From 1999-2000 to 2023-24, India's maize output surged from 11.5 million tonnes to over 35 million tonnes.
• Concurrently, average per-hectare yields increased from 1.8 tonnes to 3.3 tonnes, demonstrating substantial growth in this sector.

Maize Utilization

• Unlike wheat and rice, maize is not primarily a food grain.
• Approximately 20% of India's maize is used for direct human consumption.
• The majority, about 60%, is utilized as feed for poultry and livestock, indirectly benefiting households through products like chicken, eggs, and milk.

Feed Composition

• Poultry feed contains a significant amount of maize, with broiler feed consisting of 55-65% maize by weight, egg-layer feed at 50-60%, and cattle feed at 15-20%.
• Maize provides essential carbohydrates, which are a primary energy source for these animals. Other components of animal feed include protein sources, vitamins, minerals, and additives.

Industrial Uses of Maize

Starch Applications

• Beyond food and feed, 14-15% of India's maize is used for industrial purposes.
• Maize grains contain 68-72% starch, which finds applications in the textile, paper, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries.

Ethanol Production

• Maize has also emerged as a crucial feedstock for ethanol production.
• Ethanol, blended with petrol, is produced by distilleries during the off-season when sugarcane is unavailable.
• With reduced availability of surplus rice for this purpose, maize has become the primary alternative.

Advances in Maize Research

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)’s Innovations

• IARI has developed India's first "waxy" maize hybrid with a high amylopectin starch content, enhancing its suitability for ethanol production.
• This hybrid, known as Pusa Waxy Maize Hybrid-1, has a higher starch recovery rate compared to normal maize, which improves its efficiency in ethanol production.

CIMMYT’s Contributions

• CIMMYT has advanced maize breeding with the establishment of a maize doubled haploid (DH) facility in Kunigal, Karnataka.
• This facility produces uniform inbred lines of maize quickly, improving breeding efficiency. The DH technology accelerates the development of high-yielding maize lines that are tolerant to various environmental stresses and resistant to pests and diseases.

Hybrid Breeding and Commercialization

• Maize's cross-pollinating nature allows for hybrid breeding, making it commercially viable.
• Private sector companies have played a significant role in developing hybrids, which now account for over 80% of maize cultivation in India.
• CIMMYT's improved inbred lines are shared with both public and private sector entities, ensuring continued advancements in maize production.

Conclusion

• While the Green Revolution predominantly focused on wheat and rice, the parallel revolution in maize production has also been significant.
• Advances in maize research and technology continue to drive productivity and efficiency, reflecting India's evolving agricultural landscape.

READ ABOUT MAIZE IN GENERAL: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/maize#:~:text=Maize%20is%20used%20both%20as,and%202%25%20of%20total%20production.

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), widely known as the Pusa Institute, is India's premier institute for agricultural research, education, and extension. Originally established as the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in Pusa, Bihar in 1911, it was renamed the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute in 1919. Following a devastating earthquake in Pusa in 1934, the institute was relocated to Delhi in 1936. Currently, it is financed and administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The IARI played a crucial role in the research that led to the "Green Revolution" of the 1970s. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023, IARI was ranked first among agriculture and allied universities. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), is a non-profit research organization focused on developing improved wheat and maize varieties to enhance food security and agricultural practices. Established in 1943 through the collaboration between the Mexican government and the Rockefeller Foundation, CIMMYT initially emerged as the Office of Special Studies before being officially renamed in 1963 and reorganized as a non-profit institution in 1966. With its headquarters in Mexico, CIMMYT hosts the world's largest maize and wheat genebank and operates 12 regional offices globally. Its scientists contribute significantly to global wheat and maize production, having developed 70% of the wheat and about half of the maize varieties planted worldwide. CIMMYT is also a key member of the CGIAR network of agricultural research centers. CGIAR CGIAR, formerly the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, is a global partnership focused on food security research. It aims to reduce rural poverty, enhance food security, improve health and nutrition, and promote sustainable resource management. With 15 research centers worldwide, mainly in the Global South, CGIAR collaborates with national and regional institutes, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Its annual research budget exceeds US$900 million, supporting over 9,000 staff across 89 countries. Funding comes from national governments, multilateral agencies, and private foundations. The CGIAR System Council oversees its strategy and impact amidst evolving agricultural challenges.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the significance of the parallel revolution in maize production alongside the Green Revolution. How does it differ from the Green Revolution's impact on wheat and rice, and what role has it played in global food security?

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS