Due to the high demand for maize for poultry feed, animal feed, starch production, and now ethanol production, along with rising prices and a strong market trend, an increase in maize cultivation was anticipated. This expectation has been met as the current Kharif season has seen maize production area rise to 8.725 million hectares, up 600,000 hectares from last year’s area of 8.125 million hectares. Previously, in 2022, maize cultivation was at 8.020 million hectares, and in 2021, it was at 7.900 million hectares. Data indicates that there has been an increase in the maize cultivation area across almost all major producing states. The central government has raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize by 6.5% to ₹2,225 per quintal for the 2024-25 season. This has provided additional encouragement to farmers. It is also noteworthy that the government plans to buy large quantities of maize from farmers at the MSP through its agency for ethanol production, preventing producers from having to sell their maize at lower prices in the open market. On the other hand, the area under Bajra has decreased this year to 6.690 million hectares from 6.970 million hectares last year. In some states, farmers have prioritized maize cultivation over Bajra. Compared to last year, the area under Jowar has increased from 1.375 million hectares to 1.460 million hectares, and the area under Ragi has improved from 0.705 million hectares to 0.755 million hectares in the current Kharif season.