Quick answer: The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 (IMC-2026) took place at the JD Convention Centre in Hyderabad from 2 to 4 November 2026. Its theme was “Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World” (M4FS). The ICAR leadership used the meeting to set a target of raising India’s maize output from about 55 million tonnes to 75 million tonnes over the next decade.
Why the International Maize Conference 2026 is in the news
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said in a PIB release dated 2 November 2026 that the conference opened that day. It brought together scientists, policymakers, farm institutions and industry. Before the event, UNI reported that more than 500 delegates from India and abroad were expected at the venue in Shamshabad, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The Maize Technologists Association of India (MTAI), represented by its President Dr H. S. Jat, welcomed the guests at the opening.
The main address was given by Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR. Former ICAR DG Dr R. S. Paroda was the chief guest.
Key facts and announcements
- Dates, venue and theme: 2-4 November 2026, JD Convention Centre, Hyderabad (Telangana); theme abbreviated as M4FS.
- Production goal: output is now about 55 million tonnes, and the goal is 75 million tonnes within a decade, along with a further 1.5-fold rise in productivity.
- From 4F to 5F: Dr M. L. Jat proposed adding Farmers to the usual Food, Feed, Fodder and Fuel, so that research is judged by how much it raises farm incomes.
- Protecting other crops: he called for a “systems-science” approach that grows more maize in suitable seasons and zones without cutting into oilseeds and pulses.
- Hybrids: Dr D. K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, said 329 maize hybrids were developed in the past five years. He called for a stronger All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Maize.
- Ethanol: Dr Yadav also wanted research bodies, universities and industry to work together on using maize as an ethanol feedstock.
- Food safety: Dr Paroda stressed managing aflatoxin so that maize stays safe for food and feed.
Maize in India: static facts for the exam
Maize is called the “Queen of Cereals”. In India it is the third most important cereal after rice and wheat. Figures from the 2025-26 Maize Outlook Report of ANGRAU’s Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Research (based on UPAg third advance estimates) are below.
| Indicator (2025-26) | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 14.40 million ha |
| Production | 55.09 million tonnes |
| Average yield | 3.82 tonnes/ha |
| Largest producer (area and output) | Madhya Pradesh: 10.04 Mt, about 18% of output |
| Other big producers | Karnataka (6.55 Mt), Maharashtra (5.69 Mt), Bihar (5.57 Mt), Andhra Pradesh (5.48 Mt), Telangana (5.44 Mt) |
| Highest yield among major states | Andhra Pradesh: 7.44 t/ha |
| India’s global rank (USDA) | 4th in area, 6th in production; the USA is the top producer |
| End use | Poultry/animal feed 54%, ethanol 25%, starch 14%, food 7% |
- Seasons: according to ICAR-IIMR, maize is mainly grown as a kharif (rainy-season) and a rabi (winter) crop. Kharif maize has historically covered about 83% of the area, and over 70% of that is rainfed. Rabi maize gives higher yields because it is mostly grown with assured irrigation. Spring maize is spreading in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
- Ethanol link: the ANGRAU report says the ethanol blending programme is the main reason maize demand is rising. It notes that the procurement price for maize-based ethanol sold to oil marketing companies has been raised to ₹71.86 per litre.
Exam angle: how NDA, CDS and CAPF can ask this
- Questions on the cropping season of major crops (kharif, rabi, zaid) are common in NDA and CDS geography. Remember that maize is grown in both kharif and rabi.
- Questions on the leading producer state of a crop come up often. Use the latest official data, which shows Madhya Pradesh first for maize in 2025-26.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The 1st International Maize Conference 2026 was held in:
(a) Ludhiana (b) New Delhi (c) Hyderabad (d) Bengaluru
Answer: (c) — at the JD Convention Centre, Hyderabad, from 2 to 4 November 2026.
Q2. In the “5F” approach to maize suggested at the conference, the fifth F stands for:
(a) Fibre (b) Fertiliser (c) Farmers (d) Forestry
Answer: (c) — Farmers were added to Food, Feed, Fodder and Fuel.
Q3. According to 2025-26 estimates, which state was India’s largest maize producer?
(a) Karnataka (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Bihar (d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b) — Madhya Pradesh, with about 10 million tonnes.
Q4. Aflatoxins, a concern raised at the conference, are produced by:
(a) Bacteria (b) Fungi (c) Viruses (d) Nematodes
Answer: (b) — they are toxins made by certain fungi that contaminate stored grain.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the International Maize Conference 2026 held?
It was held from 2 to 4 November 2026 at the JD Convention Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana. This was the first edition.
What was the theme of IMC-2026?
The theme was “Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World”, known as M4FS.
What production target was set for maize?
The DG of ICAR called for raising output from about 55 million tonnes to 75 million tonnes over the next decade, together with a further 1.5-fold rise in productivity.
Why is maize important for ethanol?
Maize is a major feedstock for grain-based ethanol. About a quarter of India’s maize now goes to ethanol, and demand is rising under the blending programme.
Also read on NCA: National Programme for Dairy Development | Monthly defence current affairs PDFs | Online NDA coaching
Sources: PIB, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (2 Nov 2026), UNI India, ANGRAU Maize Outlook Report 2025-26, ICAR-IIMR. Facts as reported up to 5 November 2026.
Featured image background (representative): Phil Bus / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
