Posted in Farming Guide, Food Grains Farming

Maize Farming in India

Maize Farming in India

Maize Farming in India – Complete Guide (Makka Ki Kheti Kaise Karein)

Maize (corn) is one of the most important cereal crops in India, used for human consumption, livestock feed, and industrial purposes. It is grown in almost all states of India, but with proper techniques, farmers can achieve high yields with lower costs.
In this article, we will explain how to do maize farming step-by-step, covering every stage in detail.

1. Land Preparation (Soil Requirements)

1.1 Land Selection

  • Loamy or sandy loam soil is best for maize farming.
  • Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.5.

1.2 Soil Testing

1.3 Deep Ploughing

  • First ploughing should be deep with a soil-turning plough.
  • Helps in destroying pests and harmful pathogens.

1.4 Leveling

  • The land should be leveled to avoid waterlogging.

1.5 Application of Organic Manure

  • Apply 4–5 tons of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) per acre.

1.6 Moisture Management

  • Soil should have adequate moisture for better seed germination.

1.7 Bed Preparation

  • Prepare beds and furrows for easy irrigation and drainage.

2. Seed Treatment and Selection

2.1 Selection of Improved Varieties

  • For hybrid maize farming, varieties like DKC-9108, HQPM-1, Ganga-5 are recommended.

2.2 Selection of Disease-Free Seeds

  • Seeds should be clean and free from any disease symptoms.

2.3 Seed Treatment (Chemical)

  • Treat seeds with Thiram or Carbendazim @ 2–3 gm/kg seed.

2.4 Seed Treatment (Organic)

  • Treat seeds with Trichoderma @ 4–5 gm/kg to prevent fungal diseases.

2.5 Pre-Storage Inspection

  • Store seeds in cool, dry, and airtight conditions for next season use.

3. Sowing – Right Time and Method

3.1 Best Season for Sowing

  • Kharif: June–July
  • Rabi: October–November
  • Summer: February–March

3.2 Seed Rate

  • For hybrid maize: 8–10 kg seeds per acre.

3.3 Sowing Depth

  • Sow seeds at a depth of 4–5 cm.

3.4 Spacing

  • Row to row: 60 cm, plant to plant: 20 cm.

3.5 Method

  • Furrow and ridge method is ideal for water drainage and irrigation efficiency.

4. Irrigation – Frequency and Method

4.1 First Irrigation

  • Light irrigation immediately after germination.

4.2 Irrigation Interval

  • Every 7–10 days depending on season.

4.3 Seasonal Adjustment

  • More water in summer, less in winter.

4.4 Modern Methods

  • Drip irrigation saves water and labor costs.

4.5 Avoid Over or Under Irrigation

  • Overwatering causes root rot; under-watering reduces yield.

5. Fertilizer Management

5.1 Basal Dose

  • Apply NPK @ 60:40:20 per acre as basal dose.

5.2 Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash Ratio

  • Split nitrogen into three doses – at sowing, 30 days, and 50 days after sowing.

5.3 Use of Organic Fertilizers

  • Incorporate FYM or vermicompost for better soil health.

5.4 Nutrient Supply as per Growth Stage

  • Apply more nitrogen before flowering.

5.5 Micronutrients

  • Apply Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO₄) @ 10–15 kg/acre.

6. Pest and Disease Management

6.1 Common Pests

  • Stem borer, fall armyworm, maize aphid.

6.2 Organic Control

  • Spray neem oil @ 5 ml/liter water.

6.3 Chemical Control

  • Use Chlorpyrifos or Carbofuran as per recommendation.

6.4 Preventive Measures

  • Use disease-resistant varieties and follow crop rotation.

6.5 Crop Inspection

  • Inspect crops every 5–7 days for early detection.

7. Weed Management

7.1 Early Control

  • First weeding at 20–25 days after sowing.

7.2 Manual Weeding

  • Remove weeds manually with labor.

7.3 Hoeing

  • Loosen the soil between plants with a hoe.

7.4 Chemical Control

  • Apply Atrazine @ 0.5–1 kg/acre.

7.5 Timely Weed Control

  • Weed control must be done within 45 days of sowing.

8. Harvesting and Storage

8.1 Right Time for Harvesting

  • Harvest when kernels are fully matured and hard.

8.2 Method of Harvesting

  • Harvest manually or with machines.

8.3 Cleaning

  • Remove dust and impurities from grains.

8.4 Drying

  • Sun-dry the grains to 12–14% moisture.

8.5 Storage

  • Store in jute bags or airtight containers.

9. Cost and Profit in Maize Farming

9.1 Cost per Acre

  • ₹12,000–₹15,000 (Hybrid varieties up to ₹18,000).

9.2 Yield per Acre

  • Average: 25–30 quintals.

9.3 Market Price

  • ₹1,400–₹2,000 per quintal (seasonal variation).

9.4 Net Profit

  • ₹20,000–₹35,000 per acre.

9.5 Tips to Increase Profit

  • Use hybrid seeds, modern irrigation, and organic fertilizers.

10. Top FAQs – Maize Farming in India

  1. Best sowing time for maize?
    • Kharif: June–July, Rabi: October–November.
  2. Best soil for maize farming?
    • Loamy or sandy loam soil.
  3. Seed rate per acre?
    • 8–10 kg.
  4. How many irrigations are required?
    • 5–6 irrigations depending on season.
  5. Common maize pests?
    • Stem borer, fall armyworm, aphids.
  6. NPK ratio for maize?
    • 60:40:20.
  7. Harvesting period for maize?
    • 90–120 days after sowing.
  8. Yield of hybrid maize?
    • 30–35 quintals/acre.
  9. Moisture level for storage?
    • 12–14%.
  10. Is organic maize farming possible?
    • Yes, completely possible.
  11. Where to check maize market price?
  12. How to reduce maize farming cost?
    • Use organic manure, drip irrigation, and local seeds.

For more on maize and traditional farming, visit Subsistence Farming

Official agricultural information – Government of India Farmer Portal

kuldeep.kamboj@gmail.com