Field Crops> Maize> Area & Distribution

Maize is one of the world's leading crops cultivated over an area of about 139 million hectares with a production of about 600 million tonnes of grain (1999). Among the maize growing countries, USA has the largest area followed by Brazil, China, Mexico and India. In respect of production also USA stands first followed by China. In regard to average yield per hectare Italy ranks first (9695 kg) followed by France (8864 kg). The average maize yield in India is only 1785 kg per hectare which is much lower than most of the maize growing countries of the world.

In India it is grown over an area of 6.4 million hectares with total production of about 11.5 million tonnes. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are the leading states growing maize on large scale. Though the maximum acreage and production of maize is in Uttar Pradesh but Andhra Pradesh gives highest average yield per hectare (3182 kg) followed by Punjab (2574 kg).