Like bt cotton, hybrid varieties of maize, having higher protein
content have the potential to create a revolution in the country, ensuring
nutritional security to poor as well as for poultry industry, farm experts
said.
Under the quality protein maize (QPM) programme, there are atleast 10
varieties of maize available in the country. Protein content in QPM is about
74 per cent while it is only 37 per cent in normal maize. Interestingly,
protein quality of QPM is 90 per cent of that of milk, they said.

"These hybrid seeds have increased maize yields from 16 quintal per
hectare to 24 quintal per hectare resulting bumper production of 18.51
million tons in 2007-08. Hybrid maize can create a bigger revolution than bt
cotton has done so far in the country," Director General, Indian Council of
Agriculture Research (ICAR) Mangala Rai told PTI.

If monsoon favours, maize production may cross 20 million tons during
2008-09, he said adding that maize is the third important crop after rice
and wheat in terms of area in the country.

Currently in India, 49 per cent of maize is used as poultry feed, 12
per cent as animal feed, 25 per cent as food, 13 per cent in starch and
other industries and one per cent as seed.

"QPM maize is a low cost quality protein that meets energy and protein
needs of human beings as well as poultry industry," Directorate of Maize
Research Sain Dass said.

Jharkhand's Birsa Agricultural University Vice Chancellor N N Singh
said, "Recently released QPM hybrids like Shaktiman 1 have made a
significant effect among farmers. However, to harness the potential of QPM
in India, a concerted research and policy intervention is very much needed".


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