Pilibhit: The emergence of maize as India's single-largest ethanol feedstock is expected to open new avenues for farmers in Uttar Pradesh, enabling them to diversify significantly toward this crop, which requires less water compared to other alternatives. A recent report by the All India Distillers' Association (AIDA), released on Monday, revealed that maize-based ethanol production reached an unprecedented 182 crore litres (clt) during the six-month period from November 2025 to April 2026.
Maize Outpaces Other Feedstocks
This figure is substantially higher than ethanol derived from other sources, such as surplus food grain (SFG) at 26 clt and damaged food grain (DFG) at 125 clt. Maize-based ethanol has also surpassed sugarcane-based ethanol production. According to the report, sugarcane juice (SCJ) contributed 130 clt, B-heavy molasses accounted for 45 clt, and C-heavy molasses produced only 7 clt during the same period.
Uttar Pradesh's Role in Maize Production
AK Singh, Joint Director of Agriculture, noted that Uttar Pradesh has secured a position among the five major maize-producing states in India, following Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The state cultivates maize on approximately 8 lakh hectares, yielding between 28 and 30 lakh metric tonnes annually. Given the soaring demand for maize in the ethanol industry, the Uttar Pradesh government has set new targets to expand both the cultivated area and productivity of maize. “With the application of integrated nutrient management of seed, soil improver, integrated bio management, and advanced cultivation techniques combined with sophisticated farm machinery, the government aims to increase the maize cultivated area to 11.3 lakh hectares in 2026-27,” Singh added.
Industry Perspective on Maize Ethanol
Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, commented on the sharp rise in maize-based ethanol production, calling it a major turning point for the sector. “Maize offers long-term scalability, year-round availability, and supply chain advantages. It requires substantially less water than other feedstocks and has stronger compatibility with India’s future higher-blending ambitions beyond E20,” he said.
The shift toward maize is expected to benefit farmers in water-scarce regions and support India's goal of increasing ethanol blending in petrol. With government support and industry demand, maize cultivation is poised for significant growth in Uttar Pradesh and across the country.
