Competition Expected Between Ethanol Production and Animal/Poultry Feed Industries for Maize
16-Sep-2026 05:31 PM
Hyderabad. Due to deficient monsoon rainfall, the sugarcane crop is likely to be somewhat weak this year, even though the government aims to maximize sugar production. Consequently, the use of sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses for ethanol production may be severely restricted. If this happens, maize could be used on a large scale for ethanol production. Meanwhile, demand for maize in the animal and poultry feed industries will remain robust. The area sown with maize during this Kharif season has declined by 3 lakh hectares, and inadequate monsoon rainfall suggests a likely drop in the production of this vital coarse grain.
The Chairman of the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association states that if the use of sugarcane derivatives in ethanol production is reduced or halted, maize consumption could surge. This would exacerbate difficulties for the animal and poultry feed industries, as they would face stiff competition and challenges from ethanol producers. The Chairman has urged the government to ensure adequate supply and availability of maize for the feed industry, as maize is a primary ingredient in feed manufacturing.
The Association's Chairman suggested that government surplus rice and other grains could be utilized for ethanol production, but the animal and poultry feed industries require sufficient maize stocks to operate effectively. The government needs to take measures to strike a balance, as livestock feed manufacturers have no viable alternative to maize. Continuous engagement with the government is underway to ensure an adequate supply of maize. Nationally, the area under maize cultivation has shrunk from 94.10 lakh hectares last year to 91.60 lakh hectares this year. Due to severe drought in Karnataka, the area under maize cultivation dropped by 21 percent—from 1.7 million hectares last year to 1.338 million hectares this year. A decline in the maize sowing area has also been observed in some other states, including Maharashtra.