With India’s popcorn market estimated to touch $662 million by 2033, the Uttar Pradesh government is nudging the maize farmers to opt for popcorn maize cultivation for better returns.
Reckoning the high demand for desi popcorn, baby corn and sweet corn in tourist-heavy regions, the UP government is promoting their cultivation by providing financial support and training to farmers.
While maize crop typically takes 80-120 days to mature depending on the variety, popcorn maize can be harvested in 60 days, thus making it profitable to farmers owing to faster turnaround time.
“The farmers are advised to pick high-yield maize varieties based on their agro-climatic region to maximize production and get better returns,” a UP government official said.
According to a research report, the India popcorn market, which stood at roughly $366 million in 2024, is likely to breach $662 million by 2033.
The rising popcorn consumption owing to leisure activities of cinema, sports and social gatherings, multiple distribution channels and the growing culture of multiplexes is driving the popcorn market.
Additionally, maize is consumed in different forms, such as flour, baby corn, popcorn, and is a key ingredient in many soups and processed foods. With its rising demand, maize farming presents significant opportunities for farmers.
The Yogi Adityanath government is targetting to double the UP maize production by 2027 to 2.73 million tonnes (MT) by augmenting its area and per-hectare yield.
The state has also recognised the growing demand for maize crop, particularly for ethanol production.
Apart from economic benefits, maize is highly nutritious, containing carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals.
Beyond being a staple food, maize has extensive industrial applications, and is widely used in grain-based ethanol production, poultry and animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, paper, and alcohol industries.
Due to its rich nutritional profile, maize plays a crucial role in combating malnutrition. Recognising these qualities, maize is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Cereals’.
Moreover, UP has also started a ‘Rapid Maize Development Scheme’ across UP.
Currently, maize acreage and production in UP is estimated at 830,000 hectares and 2.116 MT annually respectively. Maize is the third most important crop in UP after wheat and paddy.
Currently, Tamil Nadu tops in average yield at 59.39 quintals per hectare, while the national average stands at 26 quintals. In UP, the maize yield in 2021-22 was 21.63 quintals per hectare, indicating significant potential for improvement in the state.