1st International Maize Conference 2026 Starts in Hyderabad

The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 opened on November 2 at the JD Convention Centre in Hyderabad. Running through November 4, 2026, the three-day event brings together agricultural scientists, policymakers, researchers, and global industry representatives to build stronger maize research strategies, increase crop yields, and modernize agricultural supply chains.

Organizers selected the core theme “Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World” (M4FS). Conference experts are focusing on high-yielding crop varieties, affordable seed systems, pest-resistant hybrids, farm mechanization, and the expanding role of maize in energy security.

India Targets 75 Million Tonnes of Annual Maize Production

Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), congratulated Indian researchers on reaching a milestone production of roughly 55 million tonnes.

Dr. Jat urged the agricultural community to raise India's national maize production to 75 million tonnes over the next decade while boosting overall land productivity by 1.5 times. He highlighted that technological innovation, smarter crop management, and efficient resource use will help farmers achieve higher yields from existing farmland.

Expanding the 4F Vision to 5F with Farmers at the Core

Dr. Jat proposed transforming the traditional 4F vision (Food, Feed, Fodder, and Fuel) into a comprehensive 5F approach that places Farmers squarely at the center of all research efforts.

Key points of the 5F approach include:

• Direct Farm Benefits: Delivering practical research outcomes that boost farm income and rural livelihoods.
• System-Science Strategy: Closing yield gaps by resolving crop management bottlenecks.
• Balanced Agriculture: Expanding maize-growing seasons while protecting the production of vital pulses and oilseeds.
• Affordable Seeds: Strengthening public-sector hybrid seed networks to provide farmers with affordable, high-quality planting material.

ICAR Outlines Key Research Priorities

Dr. D. K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at ICAR, noted that Indian researchers successfully developed 329 new maize hybrids over the past five years. To further strengthen the All India Coordinated Research Project on Maize (AICRP on Maize), he outlined vital priorities:

1. Breeding high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient maize hybrids.
2. Enhancing the nutritional quality of maize for human and animal consumption.
3. Accelerating farm mechanization and expanding training programs for farmers.
4. Expanding public-sector hybrid seed production to ensure reliable seed access.
5. Fostering industry-university research partnerships to support ethanol production.

Expert Recommendations on Breeding and Food Safety

• Dr. S. Vasal (World Food Laureate, CIMMYT): Advocated simple, cost-effective breeding techniques that speed up the development of high-yield maize hybrids for smallholder farmers.
• Dr. R. S. Paroda (Former Director General, ICAR): Urged stakeholders to adopt advanced genomic breeding and enforce strict aflatoxin management to eliminate fungal toxins and safeguard food safety.
• Dr. H. S. Jat (President, MTAI): Emphasized the strategic role of maize in transforming India's agricultural economy through cross-sector collaboration.

Key Takeaways: Conference Snapshot