Poultry Industry Appeals for GM Maize and Soyameal Imports Amid Ethanol Demand Surge

In a pivotal move, the Indian poultry sector has issued a call to the Union Government, seeking permission to import genetically modified (GM) maize and soyameal to combat the growing competition for maize supplies from ethanol producers. The request underscores a critical challenge faced by the industry: securing enough feedstock to sustain its operations amidst escalating ethanol production.

Ethanol manufacturers, driven by government policies encouraging the use of corn and broken rice for biofuel, are increasingly vying for the same maize resources that form the backbone of poultry feed. This competition threatens the poultry industry’s feed supply chain, potentially stalling its growth.

Suresh Chitturi, Managing Director of Srinivasa Farms and Co-Chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee on Animal Husbandry and Dairy, highlighted the necessity of this intervention during the CII’s AgriTech South 2024 event. Drawing parallels to the Green Revolution’s impact on wheat and paddy productivity, Chitturi advocated for similar advancements in maize cultivation through the introduction of high-yielding GM seeds.

The sector’s plea includes a proposal for the government to facilitate the import of GM maize specifically for ethanol production and to adopt agricultural innovations that could boost maize yield from the current 30 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes. This increase, according to K G Anand, General Manager of Venkateshwara Hatcheries, would sufficiently meet the rising demand for poultry feed while accommodating the burgeoning ethanol industry.

India’s ethanol production, utilizing 0.8 million tonnes of maize in the 2023-24 period, is projected to escalate to 3.4 million tonnes by 2024-25 and reach 10 million tonnes by 2027-28. Concurrently, the poultry industry’s maize demand, currently at 16 million tonnes annually, is expected to grow by 1 million tonnes each year.

The import of GM maize and soyameal is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the availability of affordable feed, enhancing the competitiveness of Indian poultry on a global scale, and stabilizing the industry against the backdrop of volatile market conditions.

Additionally, the industry celebrates a significant milestone in nutritional intake, with per capita egg consumption crossing the 100-egg mark, attributed to growing health consciousness among the population. This trend is expected to continue, with forecasts suggesting a rise to 180 eggs per capita within the next 6-7 years, further emphasizing the need for a stable and efficient feed supply chain to support the sector’s growth.