Topic
maize
Commodities El Nino May Weaken India's Monsoon, Threaten Rice and Maize Output, FAO Warns
The FAO has warned that the newly begun El Nino phase may weaken India's summer monsoon, putting rainfed crops like rice and maize under stress during the kharif season. Historical analysis shows that during the 2015-16 El Nino, India's maize output fell by 4% and rice dropped by 1%, while Southeast Asia lost about 15 million tonnes of rice. The agency also flagged that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are raising energy and fertiliser costs as farmers prepare for sowing.
Commodities Chennai Company Slashes India's Popcorn Maize Imports, Doubles Domestic Output
Gourmet Popcornica Pvt. Ltd., a Chennai-based company, has slashed India's popcorn maize imports from 70% to 15% of demand over a decade. Domestic production more than doubled to 85,000 tonnes, grown by 17,500 farmers across nine states on 36,000 acres. The company employs 800 workers and is mechanizing cultivation to cut costs.
Commodities Maize Farmers Shift to Cotton Amid El Niño Concerns
Indian maize farmers are shifting to cotton, soybean, paddy, and ragi due to anticipated below-normal rainfall from El Niño and market profitability. The shift varies by region, with Madhya Pradesh seeing increased cotton acreage.