Poultry farm owners and activists have called on the Union Government to expand maize cultivation across the country in response to its decision to increase ethanol usage in petrol. The demand comes as concerns grow over rising maize prices, which could impact the poultry industry significantly.
Maize is the primary feed for India’s poultry sector, accounting for approximately 60% of the country’s maize consumption. At the same time, maize is a key raw material for ethanol production, with each tonne yielding around 380-390 liters of ethanol. The Union Government’s goal to increase ethanol blending in petrol from 13% to 20% is expected to drive up maize demand, potentially leading to price surges.
Industry stakeholders fear that this price rise could place a substantial financial burden on poultry farms, particularly smaller operations in regions like Namakkal, a major poultry hub. Small and medium-sized poultry farmers, who already operate on thin profit margins, may struggle to cope with increased feed costs, leading to reduced profitability and potential disruptions in production.
To mitigate these challenges, poultry farm owners and industry activists are urging the government to implement policies that promote maize cultivation, ensuring sufficient supply to meet both poultry feed and ethanol production demands. They argue that increasing domestic maize output will help stabilize prices, benefiting both the poultry and biofuel industries without adversely affecting one sector over the other.
With ethanol blending set to rise, the poultry industry is closely watching government policies to safeguard maize availability and maintain stability in feed prices, which are crucial for sustaining poultry farming operations across the country.