Committee president R. Lakshmanan says besides the traditional maize growing areas of Palladam and Udumalpet, committee officials went to new areas where maize was not raised and encouraged farmers to grow it.

The State needs about 15 lakh tonnes of maize a year for poultry feed. Tamil Nadu production went up from two-three lakh tonnes to six-seven lakh tonnes.

The rest was procured from Karnataka. Though this was the new maize season, the landing price was Rs. 770 a quintal.

Citing reports, Mr. Lakhsmanan said corn exports from the United States, the main exporter, was not substantial this year. And, exports from India to Sri Lanka and Indonesia were said to have gone up.

Source: The Hindu