As farmer step up protest in North Karnataka seeking procurement of maize at minimum support price (MSP), the State has decided to extend all possible support to the growers while approaching major distilleries and poultry industry for the purchase of the cereal.
“A meeting will be held with major distilleries in the State to direct them to immediately procure maize for ethanol production. We will also hold discussions with the poultry industry, which has a substantial demand for maize,” said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah in a post on X, after reviewings the growers concerns on Friday.
“The State government will extend all possible support to maize farmers affected by the price crash. As domestic production is sufficient, we will write to the Central Government urging restrictions on the 70 lakh tonnes maize import. A meeting will be held with major distilleries in the State to direct them to immediately procure maize for ethanol production. We will also hold discussions with the poultry industry, which has a substantial demand for maize,” Siddaramiah said.
Low quota
As maize prices rule below the MSP of ₹2,400 per quintal on rise in production and weak demand from key consuming sectors, farmers in various parts of North Karnataka have been protesting seeking procurement of the cereal at MSP. As per the wholesale price analysis on Agmarknet, the average maize prices are hovering around ₹1,814 per quintal during November, down 6 per cent from the previous month and lower by 17 per cent over the same period last year.
The meeting discussed the increase in maize production both in Karnataka and the rest of the country. The quota allotted to Karnataka for producing ethanol from maize is extremely low, resulting in reduced procurement by distilleries, he claimed.
Distilleries had stockpiled maize earlier when prices were low, and are now unwilling to buy. This is a clear violation of norms — distilleries must resume procurement as required, he said.
Though the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has issued guidelines for procurement under the MSP scheme through Nafed/NCCF and for using maize in ethanol production, the agencies have not yet initiated procurement as per the guidelines, worsening the crisis, he said.
It was decided to urge the Union government to immediately curb maize imports to stabilise prices and press the concerned agencies to quickly procure 8 lakh tonnes of maize. Since Nafed/NCCF have still not opened procurement centres, demand that they begin procurement immediately to stabilise market prices.
Published on November 21, 2025