Maize, India’s third-largest cereal crop after rice and wheat, plays a critical role in the country’s food and energy systems. India ranks fourth globally in both maize cultivation area and total production, yet its productivity lags behind international benchmarks. At the same time, demand for maize has surged, particularly from the ethanol sector, which is diverting an increasing share of domestic supply away from traditional users such as animal feed and starch industries. This shift has raised concerns about long-term supply chain stability.
To address these issues, AbacusBio, a global scientific and business advisory firm, prepared a comprehensive report titled Potential Impacts of Allowing Genetically Modified Maize Production and Imports in India. The study analyzed India’s current and projected maize production and consumption trends, while also assessing global adoption patterns of genetically modified (GM) maize.
Global context and India’s position
Worldwide, crops such as soybean, maize, cotton, and canola have seen widespread GM adoption. In contrast, India has permitted only Bt cotton commercially since 2002. Other GM crops, including brinjal and mustard, remain stalled due to regulatory and public concerns.
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The report recommends that India consider both domestic cultivation of the GM product and the removal of restrictions on its imports. Such measures could improve productivity, stabilize prices, and strengthen food and feed security, while also delivering tangible economic benefits to farmers and allied sectors.
Launch and discussions
The report was formally launched on July 22, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, with support from The Asia Group. Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), delivered the keynote address. The launch included a high-level panel discussion on Building a Resilient Maize Economy in India, moderated by Dr. Vibha Ahuja of BCIL. Panelists represented industry leaders, academic experts, and farmer organizations, who examined maize’s strategic role in India’s agricultural and trade frameworks, particularly in light of rising demand for feed and fuel security.
Following the New Delhi event, two regional roundtables were held in Pune (July 23) and Hyderabad (July 24). These sessions allowed the report’s authors to share key findings and facilitated in-depth discussions with local stakeholders. The exchanges provided a range of perspectives on opportunities, challenges, and considerations surrounding GM maize adoption in India.
Key takeaways
The AbacusBio report advocates for a transparent, evidence-based review of GM maize, emphasizing a balance between innovation and precaution. It urges policymakers to adopt approaches that support productivity growth, sustainability, and environmental protection while ensuring biosafety and public confidence.
As India works to strengthen its maize economy, the findings highlight a pressing choice: whether to embrace GM maize as part of the solution to meet future demand for food, feed, and fuel security.
By Dr. Arlene Asthana Ali is the Senior Project Executive, Biotech Consortium India Limited
