Today, maize has become a commercial crop. To harness the benefits of rising production, it has become necessary to have maize-based agri-processing units. Rich in nutrients, maize offers opportunities for setting up maize-based small scale enterprises. Maize production in Chhindwara district alone has increased from 6 lakh 23 thousand MT to 12 lakh MT. The acreage of maize has also increased from 1.24 lakh hectare to 2.95 lakh hectare. The maize production in the State has touched 46 lakh MT.

Director of Indian Maize Research Institute, Ludhiana, Dr. Sanjay Rakshit, says that maize production has shown an upward trend in Madhya Pradesh, but value addition and processing is yet to be done. It is expected that maize processing will start here so that the maize farmers can reap optimum benefits.

A progressive farmer from Haryana, Mr. Kamal Chauhan, appreciates organizing the Corn Festival, saying that such an event gives the farmers access to new technological interventions, which they can suitably use.

Food processing expert Dr. Ramnath Suryavanshi believes that key players in farm industry should focus attention on the potential of setting up maize-based processing units as its economic market is growing. It is now an employment-generating crop. It can help double the income of farmers.

Dr. S.R. Azad, Director of Madhya Pradesh Vigyan Sabha is involved in imparting training to tribal farmers for making maize toasts and biscuits and providing them market. He says that there is an urgent need to raise awareness among the consumers about the nutritional quality of maize. There is also a need to connect small farmers directly with maize-based food processing units. Chhindwara is an ideal district for this.

Nutri Bakery

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Kamal Nath, believes that farmers should get opportunities to join agri-entrepreneurship, so that they are not limited to production only and also emerge as entrepreneurs.

Realising the vision of the Chief Minister, the tribal women in Tamia block of Chhindwara district have succeeded in establishing Nutri Bakery. They are economically self-dependent now. They make maize toasts and biscuits, which are a popular nutritious food items. This is not only helping them address nutritional deficiency but also helping the tribal women earn handsome livelihoods. Their income base has also improved. At least four Nutri Bakery Units are operating in Tamia. The women, who were earning hardly about Rs. 1500 a month, are now getting Rs. 4 to 5 thousand a month.

Earlier, these tribal women were either engaged in farming or collecting minor forest produce. They used to migrate to the surrounding districts searching for petty farm works during the Kharif season, and they could earn barely Rs. 1500 a month. Now they have started a bakery for maize, millet, mahua, amla-based products. The corn toasts and biscuits are popular in the region. In the local market, these women market these food items themselves.

Now these tribal women are capable of imparting training to their fellow women. Samoka Bai, a member of the Ragini self-help group of Harsh Diwari village in Tamia, underwent seven-day bakery training. She describes how she skilled herself in operating machines used in the bakery and how corn toasts are made. Also, she gained knowledge about quality, cost and marketing.

Similarly, Sumaravati Bai, who is a member of Durga self-help group of Matkadhana village, also got the similar training. Her SHG is making toasts using a small furnace and selling it in the local market.

Saroj Bai, a member of the Radhakrishna self-help group of Saldhana (Bagai) village, who is interested in marketing, has now started business with the support of other members.

The success of Nutri Bakery has evoked a good response. Many government departments and voluntary organizations expressed interest in the initiative. National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Tejaswini project of Women and Child Development Department, Forest Department and Chai India (Madhya Pradesh Chapter) have approached for assistance in setting up the Nutri Bakery. Tejaswini has set up two bakeries in Mandla district and two more are being planned.

Why is maize a commercial crop?

Maize is used in a multiple ways. Animal food, especially poultry feed, is made of maize and is in high demand. As the poultry industry is growing, the demand for poultry feed has increased. Popular food items such as corn flakes are always in demand. Maize is consumed as a food grain and has industrial use also. A good yield is possible in less water. It is a climate change-resilient crop. Maize is rich in nutrients. It contains 71 percent starch, 9 to 10 percent protein, 4 to 45 percent fat, 9 to 10 percent fiber, 2 to 3 percent sugar and 1.4 percent mineral. (IPA Service)